TNAG-1529-FCO40-2093-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 12

HONG KONGER 30 '86 16:04 TIBCOOL) HK GOVT

VRIJVI

DUNQUIL.

Mr. B.K.T. TANG, (Public Affairs)

Telo. 01-629-0599.

布 政署

香港下亞

RE

**** Our REF: SRD 706/10/C Pt. 5.

ABKM YOur Ref :

Mr. C.E. Leeks,

Hong Kong Department,

FCO.

P.1

160

Security Branch, 6/F,

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

30 September 1986.

HKK 243/3

RECEIVED REGISTRY

- 7 OCT 1986

Dear Clinton

INDEX

PA

ACHOR Taken

Mekl

Policy Evaluation: Aid to Indochinese Refugees in

Thailand

I am

Thank you for your letter of 12 September 1986. sorry that it has taken so long to get back to you but, as you are aware, we have had a number of important visitors recently.

In order to meet your deadline I am sending a copy of this letter by facsimile to Ben TANG with the request that he passes it to you as quickly as possible.

As regards the draft paper, I appreciate the limitations on redrafting, but I do not understand the references in paragraphs 5(b) and 10 (b) to "pressure on Hong Kong to absorb more". I am not aware that Hong Kong has been pressurised anymore than any other place of first asylum to absorb Indochinese refugees. Viewed from here, this does not appear to be a priority objective. We are much more concerned about developing a durable solution and, in the meantime, seeking help with resettlement. But perhaps you are more aware of

this pressure than we are?

As regards the costs mentioned in paragraph 7 (ii) of the paper, I presume that you have taken the figures from paragraph 18 of our Fact Slieel. Since 1979 the total cost to Hong Kong Goveliment has been $550M. We have been unable, at this stage, to develop any meaningful figures for the period 1975 to 1979, but we will keep working on it.

For the same reason the figure in paragraph 12 (b) is unavailable at this stage. We will do our best to provide figures as quickly as possible.

In my absence I have asked Simon Sit to send whatever further information we can provide to you by telegram.

A

yours,

(K.J. Woodhouse),

for Secretary for Security.