TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 115

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countries,

and

especially those who have agreed to take

"long stayers" and other refugees who are difficult

resettle.

to

4. In the light of these international efforts to reduce

the size of Hong Kong's refugee population, Hong Kong

decided earlier this year to absorb into Hong Kong a further 250 refugees.

5.

Need to ask you to do even more than you already have, in view of Hong Kong's special problems.

Alternatives to Resettlement

6.

Although departures from the Hong Kong camps this year

are running at a higher level than in 1985, the camp population has not decreased substantially because arrivals

have doubled (from 902 to 1805

(from 902 to 1805 so far this year). Sadly,

we see no sign that the level of arrivals in Hong Kong will

reduce markedly, nor that resettlements will reach a level

sufficient to empty the

camps in Hong Kong in the

foreseeable future. With this in mind, we are keen to

consider with other Western Governments and UNHCR what

alternatives might exist to resettlement in the West

especially those who may be fleeing for economic rather than political reasons. Must stress we have no idées fixes

at this stage. We would wish to listen to whatever others

might wish to say.

Further UK resettlement (defensive)

7.

the

As the White Paper envisaged we are considering, in

light of the response by others, accepting further

limited numbers from Hong Kong in addition to the current

programme of family reunion cases.

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