TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 183

SECRET

FM HONG KONG

TO DESKBY 13110OZ FCO

TELNO 1824

OF 13094OZ MAY 88

INFO IMMEDIATE

PART ONE OF TWO

UKMIS GENEVA

SECRET

012601

MDHIAN 9337

HOD 243/3

MIPT: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: DRAFT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMORANDUM

REVIEW OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEE POLICY

THE PROBLEM

IN RECENT WEEKS GREATLY INCREASED NUMBERS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE HAVE ARRIVED IN HONG KONG CAUSING A SEVERE STRAIN ON FACILITIES FOR THEIR RECEPTION AND ACCOMMODATION. A LARGE PROPORTION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARE THOUGHT TO BE ECONOMIC MIGRANTS AND NOT GENUINE REFUGEES FLEEING PERSECUTION. THIS VIEW IS SHARED BY OTHER FIRST ASYLUM COUNTRIES IN THE REGION AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, BY THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES WHO ARE INCREASINGLY UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THEM FOR RESETTLEMENT AS REFUGEES. AS A RESULT HONG KONG IS FACED WITH A RAPIDLY INCREASING POPULATION OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM FOR MOST OF WHOM RESETTLEMENT PROSPECTS ARE VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT.

RECOMMENDATION AND ADVICE SOUGHT

2.

FOR:

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN

17

(A) THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONTINUE PLANNING FOR THE INTRODUC-

TION OF A NEW POLICY ALONG THE LINES OF THE OPTION IN PARA. 17 BELOW WITH A VIEW TO DETERRING NEW ARRIVALS OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE BY THE DETENTION PENDING REPATRIATION OF THOSE WHO, AFTER SCREENING, ARE NOT ACCORDED REFUGEE STATUS:

(B) SUBMISSION OF A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSED NEW POLICY, INCLUDING THE SCREENING PROCEDURE, FOLLOWING CLEARANCE WITH HMG.

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