TNAG-1534-FCO40-2098-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1986 — Page 74

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference.

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1. der mit from meets at

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week.

Mr Williams Mr Hum, HKD

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MKK 243|11

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Donly. PLSTAD.

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VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG: RESETTLEMENT AND REPATRIATION

1.

2/2

zch

Thank you for consulting UND over your submission of

8 July, with which we concurred.

2. I am writing further to our recent telephone conversation to note that, as you are aware, the question of the

I

who

definition and treatment of displaced people and 'economic refugees do not properly qualify as refugees has much wider implications than Vietnam/Hong Kong, although that is a major UK interest. It should also be seen in the light of UK immigration policy (including Tamils and Iranians), wider political implications (including Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa), humanitarian considerations and our standing as a major donor to UNHCR. Home Office and ODA are of course very closely involved.

3.

For these reasons I suggest that any official thoughts- meetup covering policy as opposed to straight numbers should go rather wider than purely Vietnam/Hong Kong, and should ensure that domestic lines are clear before we speak to UNHCR or resettlement countries. I would add that I hoped that the proposed discussions will also look closely at the orderly departure programme (ODP) which appears to me a programme without logic in terms of our wider refugee policy.

HKK 243

243/8

RECEIVERAM REGISTRY

30 JUL 1986

HYLISTRY

IND..

PA

Action Taken

18 July 1986

CODE 18-77

AWO Ltd. 7/84

CONFIDENTIAL

Procem

S DARLING ROGERSON

United Nations Department