TNAG-1524-FCO40-2088-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 17

I

RESTRICTED

-

- 2 -

5.

I naturally welcomed this development warmly, while at the same time stressing the severe population pressures with which Hong Kong is already faced and the local political sensitivity of giving better treatment to VRS (even ethnic Chinese) than illegal immigrants from China. I also confirmed unequivocally that Hong Kong has already accepted 14,500 VRS for permanent resettlement since 1975 - something which Den Hond felt was insufficiently widely known.

а

6.

Den Hond added that Hong Kong's decision to accept more VRS for permanent resettlement was the crucial determining factor in the Dutch decision to accept more. Although HMG's commitment was also a valuable contributory factor, the Dutch feel that VRS are, first and foremost, regional problem for South-East Asia and they look to the countries of that region to contribute to the problem's solution. While recognising that Hong Kong's record as a port of first asylum and a place of permanent resettlement for VRS is exemplary, nevertheless the Dutch expect Hong Kong to continue to contribute to the permanent resettlement of VRS in Hong Kong. Den Hond finally noted that Hong Kong had suffered, and was continuing to suffer because of its humanitarian treatment of VRs. I said this was unfortunate, but Hong Kong could hardly have acted otherwise in all conscience.

7.

I then raised with Den Hond the specific issue of family reunion cases and enquired about the latest list produced by the UNHCR of "Hong Kong VNDPs with close relatives in Netherlands" (dated 03-Jan.-86). Den Hond did not himself have this list and did not know whether it had been received via Geneva so I gave him a copy. He checked and found that two of those listed (Nos 2.6 and 2.7) would be accepted for resettlement in the 1986 quota. The others would be considered in due course. He explained that, within very strict criteria (sc spouses and dependent minor children), refugees would be accepted automatically if their resettlement in the Netherlands were requested by both the UNHCR and the relatives already resident in the Netherlands. Otherwise family reunion cases could only be considered within the overall refugee quota.

8.

I enquired about the Dutch Parliament's recent decision in principle to increase the size of the refugee quota (a doubling was proposed), but Den Hond stressed that the decision was so far only one of principle, but actual numbers were still being considered. Maybe he will be more forthcoming to you in Hong Kong.

9.

In view of Den Hond's impending visit to Hong Kong I am sending this letter by facsimile (to Hong Kong only).

Kung Hei Fat Chri!

}

Yous

ever

Nigel

я дете

RESTRICTED

Nigel French