TNAG-1529-FCO40-2093-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 37

COM USIONS

13.

Although no overall political solution is in sight, Thailand continues to develop, along with other ASEAN countries, as a force for stability in the region.

Vietnam's expansionism is checked, with a growing

thats opportunity for Cambodian resistance to force further

concessions upon Vietname and its clients. Thailand

is also continuing its contributions to efforts to find

humane solutions to the refugee burden. The UK's political

concerns in the region are thus being met as are its trade

interests. The refugee problem has been contained and,

while consideration will have to be given to long-term

solutions, the costs to the UK remain appropriate to its

resources and its degree of involvement in the region, and in step with those of its allies.

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South-East Asian Department

31 August 1986

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