TNAG-1718-FCO40-2398-Hong-Kong-1987-Review-of-Representative-Government-1988 — Page 16

RABLE SOLUTIONS

RESTRICTED

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Resettlement alone is not the answer to Hong Kong's refugee

problem.

Long-term solution to the problem lies in creation of acceptable conditions in Vietnam to enable the return to Vietnam of those whose reason for leaving is essentially economic.

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This is view increasingly shared by other governments.

In contact with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and with the main resettlement countries on this question.

Now active international discussion of the possibility of

returning to Vietnam under suitable safeguards those who do not meet

the criteria of refugees.

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CLOSED CAMPS IN HONG KONG: THE OXFAM REPORT

We have received a copy of Oxfam's recent report on Hong

Kong's closed centres. We will be studying the report very

carefully.

Closed centre policy was introduced with the greatest reluctance to avert a situation in which the level of new arrivals was rapidly becoming intolerable.

But the Hong Kong Government believe, and we agree, that these centres are a regrettable necessity.

Policy must necessarily have deterrent effect.

Over the years,

I believe that it has contributed to discouraging Vietnamese from setting out on the dangerous voyage to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Government and British Government attach great importance to ensuring that conditions in the centres are as humane

as possible.