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(b) the fact that
the vast majority of these
"refugees" claimed to be seeking better
economic prospects rather than to be fleeing from political persecution; and
(c) the problems posed thereby for resettlement
countries and countries of first asylum.
We envisage that our first efforts within the Group would
be to establish what common ground might exist. We should need to consider in due course how and when places of first
asylum might be brought into these consultations.
initial view is that, subject to the views of Honolulu
Group members, they might be brought in around early 1987.
7.
Our
in
We understand that our request to be involved
Honolulu Group discussions will be discussed at a Group
meeting in Geneva on 11 October. Most members of the Group
reacted positively to our request, except for the
Australians, who initially doubted whether the UK should be
involved. It would be ideal if the question of our
inclusion in the Group could be resolved swiftly, So that
we could participate in the meeting on 11 October. If this
is not possible, we should aim at least to deploy the
points to make with members of the Group during EXCOM.
Rescue at Sea
Establishment of a Ship Rescue ("RASRO") Transit Centre in
Hong Kong
8. Hong Kong and UNHCR agreed in principle in February to
establish a ship rescue transit centre in Hong Kong, after negotiations to site it in the Philippines broke down; it
is now operational; its costs are met by UNHCR.
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