TNAG-1525-FCO40-2089-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 26

CONFIDENTIAL

camps.

The

French

decision

is

6. In view of its large Indo-Chinese communities, France

should be able to assimilate many more Vietnamese refugees

from the Hong Kong

welcome, at least because it will give exemplary leverage

with EC partners (e.g. FRG) who have yet to respond to our request. However we shall be grateful if, in thanking the

French, Mr Ratford would urge that

urge that the French accept more

than the 'dozens' they have mentioned: much smaller countries (e.g. the Netherlands and Finland) are managing

to absorb nearly 100 each.

HONG KONG DEPARTMENT

8 May 1986

CONFIDENTIAL