TNAG-1530-FCO40-2094-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 39

W

VANT

VISIT OF MR JEAN-PIERRE HOCKE: UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES:

10.00 WEDNESDAY 29 OCTOBER

POINTS TO MAKE

General

1.

Congratulations on first

first ten months in office. Impressed by

organisational changes.

2. Welcome opportunity to exchange views.

Britain recognises the

needs of refugees throughout the world and strongly supports the

work of UNHCR.

Finances

3.

Share concern over UNHCR's financial difficulties. Britain has

given generously £3.5 million cash to general programmes and

£2.8 millions worth of food aid in 1986; £9.8 million in 1985 and

£6.2 so far in 1986 in response to special appeals, including the

£500,000.

4.

Understand Mr Patten has just announced a further contribution

of £0.5 million towards your appeal for Ugandan returnees from Southern Sudan. Planning to make a generous contribution for Afghans in Pakistan appeal. We shall continue to be as generous as

we can in responding to appeals.

Asylum Seekers

5. A complex issue needing urgent attention. Important to get it right. UK will attend official level meeting in Geneva (on 17 November). Have reservations about committing ourselves to a Ministerial meeting before prospect of agreement on solution. Transit countries (including Turkey) should be involved in discussions from early stage; no prospect of a viable resolution

without them.

N69AAR

CONFIDENTIAL