TNAG-1527-FCO40-2091-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 185

[3]

5.

6.

H ever, since the new government had taken over, assurances were being received from all the ministers. UNHCR was planning to requit up to 10 additional local staff to assist in its efforts. A possible screening procedure to distinguish between border-crossers and refugees had been mentioned by the PNG government which seemed to agree that there would have to be UNHCR participation in any such procedure. As far as resettlement to a third country was concerned, UNHCR had five emergency cases on its books. While the Australian Government had in the past been somewhat negative towards accepting these refugees for resettlement, it appeared that its attitude had changed to a more willing one. UNHCR would be pursuing all opportunities which could include making some moves within Europe.

The Committee felt that the report from UNHCR was fairly encouraging but that the situation needed to be monitored very closely. Consideration was given to various recommendations as to what action should be taken by the Committee. Following discusssion, it was AGREED:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

to brief the new British High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea (who would be taking up his post in January) on the concerns of the Committee regarding the refugees in PNG and to urge the FCO to use its influence to ensure the recognition and security of the refugees;

to write to the Commonwealth Secretariat to draw its attention to the situation and to ask for the matter to be taken up with the PNG Government;

to write to the Australian High Commissioner to express the Committee's concerns, to urge his government to raise the matter with the PNG government and to look. sympathetically at resettlement requests;

to inform UNHCR that the BRC would be supportive in the event of an initiative it might take to secure resettlement places for some of these refugees in the UK.

BIHARIS IN BANGLADESH

An article which had appeared in the Guardian had been circulated for information.

The Chairman reported that the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan had requested a meeting with him and others specifically involved in the resettlement project. This seemed entremely encouraging and it was hoped that something firm would emerge from this meeting which was due to take place in early January 1986.

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

As the Committee had not met since the Government's White Paper in response to S.C.O.R.R.I had been published, there was a brief discussion on this. While there had been a welcome expansion in the family reunion programme for Vietnamese refugees, the Committee was disapponted in the Government's failure to agree to the abolition

the closed camps in Hong Kong, as had been recommended by SCORRI.