TNAG-1427-FCO40-1910-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1986 — Page 215

CONFIDENTIAL

SECRETARY OF STATE'S MEETING WI TH THE HOME SECRETARY:

THURSDAY, 1 AUGUST 1985:

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

Points to Make

1.

Resettlement outside South East Asia remains only solution

for most Vietnamese refugees: regional resettlement unlikely to

be feasible. Voluntary repatriation impossible in the absence

of volunteers, and we have agreed that compulsory repatriation is

politically unacceptable.

2.

Acceptance by UK of family reunion cases alone not enough to

persuade other countries to do more: continuing commitment

essential.

3. Concerned that our failure to help resolve Hong Kong's

problem now could worsen situation there provoking a crisis in

the camps in lifetime of present government: should then need to

do more than we propose now.

4.

Accept that response to SCORRI cannot now be given until

after recess. But have no doubt that delay will be very badly

received in Hong Kong. Therefore particularly important that

response is satisfactory from Hong Kong's point of view.

eventual response

CONFIDENTIAL