rec. A. Leeks,
На
HK Dept, FCO.
Aide - Memoire
left with
with UNHCR
сп
28-2-1986
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
1. As a result of the additional resettlement places received in response to the British Government's initiative in late
1985, the Hong Kong Government have decided to accept 20 ethnic Chinese refugees for resettlement each month up to a maximum of
250.
2. The Hong Kong Government have also decided to establish
a RASRO transit centre in the territory and will discuss the
details with UN HCR.
t
z.
The British Government regards Hong Kong's decision as a very helpful contribution towards the resolution of the problem of "hard to resettle" refugees in the region. It is particularly courageous, given Hong Kong's difficulties in being seen to give Vietnamese refugees a better deal than illegal immigrants
from China, many of whom have far closer family and cultural ties with Hong Kong. The figure of 250, which is on top of the 14,500 displaced Indo-Chinese that Hong Kong have already absorbed, is high compared with the achievements of many resettlement countries, especially when seen in terms of the severe population pressures in Hong Kong. The refugees being resettled will be drawn from the longest stayers (over 6 years) in the Hong Kong camps and will thus be among those who have
proved hardest to resettle elsewhere.
4.
No publicity on this decision will be initiated by the Hong Kong Government (although the decision will of course become public) in an effort to reduce the risk of drawing more refugees out of Vietnam to Hong Kong.
1KK 243610
LECEIVED IN REGISTRY
0 4 MAR 1986
15.
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