CONFIDENTIAL
4.
considering urgently, in light of recent worrying increase in rate of new arrivals in Hong Kong, what more we and others might now do to try to resolve problem. No decision yet taken on scale of further resettlement in UK."
to will feel able to agree I hope that you will
our using a defensive brief on these lines. I should add that we shall not be
continue asking the UK delegation only to
to press for further resettlement assistance for Hong Kong. Our Ministers recognise that we must also continue our search for other solutions, however remote the prospects of early success. It is increasingly clear that two of the main
the USA and resettlement countries Australia are trying to justify their growing reluctance to take more refugees from Hong Kong on the grounds that many of those now
from Vietnam arriving
—
reasons.
coming
course
more
some
for
economic
stance.
than this
Our
be may There is of
foundation for political argument, but in the absence of any viable and acceptable means of returning "non-refugees" to Vietnam it is no help at all to Hong Kong that resettlement countries should adopt this Ministers have therefore agreed that we should endeavour to begin joint consultations with the main resettlement countries and UNHCR to explore whether any sort of consensus exists on the problem of outflow from Indochina; and if the continuing
it
what does, possible solutions can be identified to meet it. It is plain that
will
the these consultations problems that Hong Kong and but it may eventually ofier
west, which we can approaches to the Vietnamese authorities.
the
5.
these
not
to
produce any early panacea other places of first asylum now face, other avenues, besides resettlement in explore, perhaps
course
through
collective
As a first stage, we have arranged for FCO members of the UK delegation to EXCOM to meet
Australian and Canadian with US,
this issue. counterparts separately to explore their thinking on Clinton Leeks of this Department is going to Geneva to take part
of meetings. We shall in
keep the Home Office any developments in these and subsequent discussions. But in this context it is all the more important that we should be able to deploy a positive line in response to questions on HMG's I hope Own attitude towards
for Hong Kong. towards further assistance that bearing this in mind you will be able
in mind you will be able to agree to the line proposed above.
abreast of any
Yours smicity, Fuchomy
A M Layden
Hong Kong Department
CONFIDENTIAL
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