CONFIDENTIAL
(ii)
that, depending on the willingness shown by other
resettlement countries to respond to Hong Kong's
needs, HMG are prepared to consider accepting
further limited numbers from Hong Kong. The Hong
Korg Government would similarly be prepared to
absorb limited numbers into Hong Kong from the
camps, but again this will depend on other
countries' response to the UK's initiative;
(iii) present
3.
In HMG's view,
circumstances do not make it possible to
agree to SCORRI's recommendation that
that Hong Kong's
closed camp policy be ended.
abolition of the policy would cau se a sharp rise
in the number of arrivals in Hong Kong, and consequently an unacceptable and unmanageable rise in the camp population in Hong Kong.
To maximi se the effect of ou r decision on
resettlement, we are pressing other countries as widely as
possible to
take additional numbers of refugees from Hong
Kong. Posts in the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, New
Zealand, EC and other European countries have approached
their host governments, and we have raised the subject at bilateral and multilateral meetings whenever opportunities have arisen in recent weeks. Responses have been mixed. Most countries have been sympathetic to ou r request, but it is too early yet to know how many will respond with concrete
offers of resettlement places. So far only Australia, Now
Zealand and Luxembourg have offered specific increases (200,
10 and "some families" respectively).
Us Position
4. US has accepted about 62,000 Vietnamese refugees from
Hong Kong since 1975, more than any other country (and 60%
of all those accepted from Hong Kong). In 1985 it has taken
about 1,600 (44% of all those taken from Hong Kong).
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.