TNAG-1744-FCO40-2463-Visits-by-FCO-officials-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-by-Lor-1988 — Page 19

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(iii) VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

Progress on negotiations about repatriation of Vietnamese refugees?

We have repeatedly pressed Vietnames to accept back non-refugees, notably in meeting between Secretary of State and Co Thach, and also in exchanges in Hanoi, London and Geneva (The OPD talks in May). We are continuing pressure:

We are urging all other countries concerned (The major resettlement countries, ASEAN, our EC partners) to step up pressure on Vietnam: They have reacted sympathetically to our call: UNHCR are also directly in touch with Vietnam about repatriation. We welcome this and are encouraging UNHCR to intensify their efforts.

Will HMG press for International Conference to solve problem?

Do not believe this would be helpful.

bogged down over Cambodia issue.

Further resettlement in UK?

Discussion would get

Since 1975 have taken 20,000 Indo Chinese refugees, including 13,000 from Hong Kong. Our present resettlement programme is

continuing.

Present rate of resettlement designed to facilitate absorbtion into community.

My visit has however brought home to me personally the severity of the situation. Following the Foreign Secretary's visit last month, British Government has been seized of the problem in all its aspects. Our consideration is continuing. I will report to the Foreign Secretary on my return to London about the strength of feeling here about this aspect of the problem.

Continuing to do all we can to help Hong Kong, both through offtake of refugees for resettlement and by working together with international community for long term solution to problem.

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