TNAG-1543-FCO40-2107-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 100

PLAIN MODE

NKV 243/12

RECEIVED:

STRY

5 NOV 1986

NEJISTRY

Achon Taken

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la Lkk 2410\ Excom

HKGO 6558/LM 873

14 OCTOBER 1986

FOR: DAVID JEAFFRESON, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY

FM: KEN WOODHOUSE IN LONDON

COPIED TO: DELIA WALKER, UKMIS GENEVA, CLINTON LEEKS-HKD FCO

CONFIDENTIAL

JJJJ Q

KEY NO.6?

START CM 6

INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION (ICM)

I PAID A COURTESY CALL ON JAMES CARLIN, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF ICM, MERELY TO THANK HIM FOR THE WORK OF HIS OFFICE IN HONG KONG (THEY ARE OUR TRAVEL AGENTS FOR REFUGEE MOVEMENTS).

2.

HE MENTIONED THAT ICM HAVE AN OFFICE IN VIETNAM, AT PRESENT STAFFED ENTIRELY BY VIETNAMESE BUT HE HOPES TO HAVE EXPATRIATE STAFF THERE NEXT YEAR. HE EXPLAINED THAT DEALINGS WITH HOCHIMIN CITY WERE MUCH EASIER THAN WITH HANOI, BUT THERE WAS A GROWING TENDENCY FOR DECISIONS TO BE REFERRED TO HANOI.

3. ICM DEALS WITH THE ODP SCHEMES AND THE RARE VOLUNTARY DEPARTURE CASES - BOTH MOVEMENTS THROUGH BANGKOK. CARLIN SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE DIFFICULT TO ARRANGE FOR REPATRIATION FROM HONG KONG.

COMMENT

4. IF WE EVER GET TO THE STAGE OF RETURNING LARGE NUMBERS FROM HONG KONG, ICM WOULD BE OF CONSIDERABLE HELP. SINCE IT IS NOT (NOT) AFFILIATED TO THE UN, IT HAS GREATER FLEXIBILITY THAN THE UNHCR

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