TNAG-1527-FCO40-2091-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 261

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4.

After lengthy discussion, the meeting agreed that the present system continue. I pointed out that it was important that the monthly arrival rate of 40 be reached and maintained from January SO that we retained the

the leverage needed to continue the diplomatic campaign and emphasised that UK is being monitored by other resettlement countries and that failure to maintain the monthly rate could easily have a multiplier effect. The agencies agreed to submit a total of up to 60 names a month so that, even with drop outs, 40 could

be resettled.

5.

a)

b)

c)

d)

Also

discussed:

Mr Tang said that the agencies should not forget open

where camps

the longest stayers are (this was after Refugee Action confirmed that they give priority to

closed camp cases).

in

were

Home Office promised to inform agencies of names the list that they or HKG vetoed, with reasons. This followed discussion of how to treat nominees who in prison when called forward. I t was agreed that existing practice

consider upon release continued. HO said informally that conviction for theft (the most common offence, according to Tang) should not impede its approval.

jumping" ог

—

be

Mr Tang said that slavish adoption of the agencies'

lists could lead to complications in Hong Kong i f "queu e

to worse "LIFO" became apparent those left behind (the HKG lists (which Mr von Arnim agreed are almost identical to UNHCR's) indicate their priorities.

the agencies like a minimum of 10 days, and ideally 14

21 days,

arrivals warning of

SO as to ensure availability of accommodation.

FR CASES ELSEWHERE IN S E ASIA

6.

cases

that Refugee Action indicated

a check of its data with showed that it prospective

had about 120 sponsors elsewhere in the region and that it had told Mr Waddington this when he visited one of their centres. Ockenden Venture said that it had about 100, although the number had not been check ed

HO, who had as sumed (vide para 8 of the recently.

8 of

Government's

to

this: reply SCORRI) that

that about 60 people in category would be eligible, were taken aback. It

It is possible the number of

at the

that HO might seek to limit

approved;

they

were

size of the problem.

certainly

to 60 aghast

change

cases

in

the

ة المال الا مه