TNAG-1525-FCO40-2089-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 70

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6.

At the Anglo-French summit and the Secretary of State's

meeting with M. Dumas in November it was agreed that there should be continuing contacts and exchanges of information on refugees whom France might resettle.

7.

and

The Embassy approached the French again in February,

were promised a reply within a month on the family

reunion cases the French were re-examining. The French

indicated that, if refugees received French language

training in the camps, up to 40 might be accepted by France. On 21 April the Embassy raised the subject again: the French promised an early reply on the family reunion

cases, but indicated that not all would be accepted.

8.

In view of its large Indo-Chinese community, France should be able to assimilate many more Vietnamese refugees

from the Hong

the Hong Kong camps. An early favourable decision would be useful both in reducing Hong Kong's burden and in providing exemplary leverage with EC partners, eg FRG. We should be grateful if Mrs Chalker could reiterate importance we attach to action by the French.

the

CONFIDENTIAL