TNAG-1538-FCO40-2102-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-third-countri-1986 — Page 72

CONFIDENTIAL

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8. Dr Sigur noted that the resistance inside Cambodia

were having more success in the field. But he saw no

sign that the Vietnamese were willing to reach an acceptable

settlement and doubted that they would in practice withdraw

by 1990. So far each Vietnamese pull-back had turned out

to be a rotation of forces.

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

9. Mr Renton underlined our concern at the continuing out-

flow of boat people, particularly as this affected Hong Kong.

We had taken an extra 500 cases last year and hoped for

continuing help from other resettlement countries. Hong Kong still carried a heavy load, despite a slight decline in the

overall numbers. We were also concerned about what would

happen to the remaining refugees in 1997.

10. Dr Sigur confirmed that the refugee problem was also

on the Administration's mind. He referred to the recent

appointment of Mr Jonathan Moore as Coordinator of Refugees. Mr Monjo commented that in a period of budgetary stringency, the Administration had been trying to keep up the numbers of Vietnamese refugees they accepted for resettlement. Mr Jenkins referred to our approaches on this subject to the State Department following the publication of the Ray Panel Report. Mr Renton mentioned that he had been struck when visiting the refugee camps in Thailand by the relatively settled and

contented atmosphere.

INDONESIA

11.

Mr Renton asked about the stability of Indonesia. Dr Sigur said that the State Department were looking ahead to the elections. There would be interest in Washington in how they were conducted. Mr Monjo pointed to a gradual

CONFIDENTIAL

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