TNAG-1531-FCO40-2095-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1987 — Page 150

2wa

Cheering RESTRICTED

Mrs Rogerson, UND

Mr McLean, Eastern Asia Dept ODA Mr Leeks, HKD

Twitte

on comme

HK's (other "input" uwarted their ?). One raggestion parall

from

SEPARATE COPIES

POLICY EVALUATION: AID TO INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN THAILAND

1.

I attach the final draft of the paper on aid to Indo-Chinese refugees in Thailand prepared for the Whitehall-wide policy evaluation exercise (PEE). It is based on the earlier version circulated under cover of Robert Court's letter to David Wyatt in Bangkok, dated 9 September, amended to take account of the various comments received from departments and posts overseas. The paper in this form meet the PEE requirement. I should be grateful

for your clearance to submit it.

2. The main change from the earlier draft is an attempt to reflect the misgivings expressed by UND (and UKMis New York) and the ODA that the paper did not give sufficient emphasis to the humanitarian objectives of the aid policy. The statistics have also been provided, to the extent that they can be obtained in the form envisaged in the earlier draft. Having come fresh to this exercise, I have overcome a certain initial scepticism and think that the paper presents a fair and effective assessment of our policy on aid to Indo-Chinese refugees in Thailand. Its production has been costly however in terms of SEAD resources.

CG 241"

3. On the assumption that the contents of the paper can be agreed, the principal remaining point to be resolved is that of publication. In view of the misgivings expressed in earlier minuting, I have agreed with Mr Escritt that the paper can, if necessary, go forward as a restricted annex to the PEE. I have classified the draft and minute accordingly. I hope, however, that the changes made since the earlier draft and the various caveats incorporated in this paper will satisfy recipients of this minute that the paper can, after all, be published. Certainly, the impact of the paper would be far greater if it could go forward as an equal partner for assessment alongside the PEE returns of other Departments. Having carefully weighed the political considerations, I do not believe that publication of the paper in its present form risks serious embarrassment to our relations with the ASEAN countries concerned.

4. The essential point remains, however, that the FCO should not withdraw from the PEE at this late stage. The working deadline for the paper to go forward is the end of November and I should be grateful if recipients would bear this in mind when considering whether further amendments might be necessary. I should be grateful for replies by 26 November.

DKK 213/3

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

12 DEC 1986

OFFICER

IND

PA

REGISTRY

Mall

Action Taken R T Fell

mel

13/12

CODE 18-77

20 November

Mr Escritt, Finance Dept

RCAACE

South East Asian Department

RESTRICTED

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