TNAG-1534-FCO40-2098-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1986 — Page 63

CODE 18-77

Mrs Darling Rogerson

UND

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference..

catata

Route but 28

PUA 243/2

Cra 13/2

ODERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME

1.

Please refer to your minute of 18 July to Mr Hum on Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong.

2. I noticed that you referred to the ODP as a programme "without logic". I would like to make the following points in the programmes defence. (We were after all instrumental in initiating it.) The principle on which it is based is a humanitarian one, ie family reunion. We have commited ourselves publicly to accepting Indo- Chinese family reunion cases. Over 3,800 Vietnamese refugees have been resettled in the UK under family reunion arrangements.

3. There is also the argument, which I accept at least in part, that the ODP acts as an effective alternative to boat people departures. The number of those fleeing Vietnam by boat has continued to fall since the inception of the ODP in 1979. As long as this is the case and there is no sign that the ODP is actually stimulating departures, it is surely preferable for us to help arrange "orderly" departures than to accept the problems caused. by departures by boat.

4. I agree though that, in the long term, it would be preferable if Vietnamese could make ordinary applications to come here (without any UNHCR involvement), and pay their own fares.

HKK 243/8

27 AUG 1986

ISTRY

Robert Court

13 August 1986

cc: Mr Hum, HKD

in laken

RV Court

South East Asian Department

CONFIDENTIAL