TNAG-1427-FCO40-1910-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1986 — Page 226

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CONFIDENTIAL

to accept in the absence of effective measures to stop

the flow of refugees.

Improved Training Facilities

12. Any scheme which makes refugees more acceptable to resettlement countries is obviously useful. Much is already

being done in this respect, and the Hong Kong Government are

considering with UNHCR further means to provide refugees

with appropriate skills. We shall encourage this. This

will enable us to reply positively to the SCORRI recommendations

on this point, and may also help to improve the closed camp policy's public image. In this connection you may wish to

consider whether in connection with an increased UK offtake

some use of the UNHCR retraining facilities at Bataan in the

Philippines would be helpful.

Windy poin

Conclusion

13.

I know the difficulties, but I regard the above proposals

as the minimum required to contain the situation in the

medium term. I hope that you can accept them.

If you

would find it helpful I should be happy to meet and

discuss them at a convenient time. Meanwhile, since I think

it desirable that you and I should first reach agreement,

I am not copying this minute further to colleagues.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE 20 May 1985

COTTARATITUT ÄT

بالا

M

GEOFFREY HOWE