Registry
RESTRICTED
Stamp over!
overlede.
211)
MR
LUCE'S MEETING WITH MR POUL HARTLING, UNITED NATIONS HIGH
COMMISSIONER: WEDNESDAY 5 JUNE
POINTS TO MAKE (defensive)
Tamil Refugees: Visa Regime
1. Visa regime instituted
instituted reluctantly; only means available to
control rapid influx of Tamils to UK.
Sri Lankan Government
understand the reasons for this measure. They have also given us a
formal assurance that Tamils returned to Sri Lanka will not be
Cases of those Tamils now in UK are being
harassed or persecuted.
reviewed: no Tamil has yet been returned.
2.
Inter communal problem remains severe but despite Tamil terrorist attack on Anuradhapura and deaths of many civilians no repetition of massive violence against Tamils of July 1983. Some grounds for optimism for believing that President Jayewardene may relaunch efforts to find political settlement.
3.
Tamils living in Northern and, to province affected by the troubles but majority of
(including Indian Tamils in Central Highlands
community in Colombo and
unaffected.
lesser
extent, Eastern
Tamil population
and large Tamil
its environs) have been relatively
Tamils continue to be represented in Government at senior level
eg Minister of Home Affairs.
4.
5. Will continue to urge Sri Lankan Government to seek a political settlement to inter-communal problem. Encouraged by meeting between
President Jayewardene and Rajiv Gandhi on 2 June. Hope this will provide basis for a political settlement.
AFGHANISTAN
Aid to Afghan Refugees (defensive)
6.
Most recent payment of £1 million for Afghan refugees in
Pakistan made in February.
contribution.
Currently
HKK 243/5
considering further
RESTRICTED
D.C.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.