CONFIDENTIAL AN 機密
Resettleemnt of Ship-rescue cases from
Hong Kong under the RASRO Scheme
On 9 July 1985 a Liberian container vessel, M.V. "Somers
Bay", enroute from Bangkok to Hong Kong picked up 25 Vietnamese
refugees at sea. The vessel arrived in Hong Kong on 12 July 1985.
A guarantee letter was obtained from the United States Consulate-
General that the United States would be responsible for resettling
the refugees if they did not secure resettlement under the RASKO
scheme. On 18 July 1985, the Immigration Department wrote to
the United States Consulate-General, marking the beginning of
the 90-day guarantee period. The guarantee period ended on
18 October 1985.
2. All 25 refugees have been accepted for resettlement.
A breakdown of the countries which accepted them is:-
New Zealand
USA (via Britain)
USA (direct)
United Kingdom
Canada
Canada
France
1 departed on 23 August
9 departed on 6 September
1 departed on 27 September
5 departed on 16 October
3 departed on 21 October
4 departed on 27 October
1 departed on 28 October
Total
24
+ 1 still in Hong Kong provisionally
accepted by Canada, but is
medically unfit to travel at this
stage. He is receiving treatment and
will leave when well enough to travel,
CONFIDENTIAL ##
機密
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.