TNAG-1524-FCO40-2088-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 167

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Hong Kong was out of the question.

family reunion cases. Comment

They did agree to consider

a list of refugees with close

relatives in Belgium is being prepared by the UNIICR. The

Belgians are unlikely to do more than consider these family

reunion cases.

As their regional intake

12. Australia The Australian Minister of Immigration and

Ethnic Affairs accounced in October 1985 that his government

would increase its off-take from Hong Kong in response to IMG's

initiative. The increase from 400 to 600 has taken effect and the

quota may increase to 800 in mid-1986.

remains fixed at: 6000, the increase to 800 from Hong Kong will

transpire only if there are places remaining at the end of the

year. There was a surplus last year but the Australian

Commission here did not respond to appeals to re-direct it to

Hong Kong. Comment we have excellent relations with the

Australians and they have been one of our strongest supporters.

Their response to HMG's initiative is very welcome and should

encourage others.

13. U.S.A. There has been no (ro) formal reaction from the

Americans to IMG's initiative. It is expected that a decision

will await the report from a high level panel set up by the

Secretary of State to advise on U.S. refugee policy. The panel

visited Hong Kong in November 1985 as part of a regional tour.

It also went to Vietnam. The Americans are our strongest supporter

and have taken half of all of the refugees resettled from Hong

Kong. Comment Hong Kong has received strong support from

the Americans for Open Centre resettlement. They have taken

nearly three times the number they committed to, although this

was within their quota. The Americans are very interested in:

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