SECRET
012604
MDHIAN 9338
SECURITY IMPLICATION IN DETAINING A (POSSIBLY INCREASING) NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITHOUT HOPE OF RESETTLEMENT PENDING THEIR RETURN TO
BE EASY TO VIETNAM. THE ACTUAL PROCEDURE FOR SCREENING WOULD NOT IMPLEMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR LARGE NUMBERS OF ARRIVALS. WE MIGHT ALSO BE SUBJECT TO PRESSURE FROM RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO SCREEN IN INDIVIDUALS THEY WISHED TO RESETTLE REGARDLESS OF STRICT REFUGEE CRITERIA (E.G. FAMILY REUNION CASES) DESPITE THESE
ONSIDERATIONS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERS THAT FOR PRACTICAL AND POLITICAL REASONS, IT IS NOW NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE A NEW POLICY ON THE LINES PROPOSED.
FINANCAIL AND STAFFING IMPLICATIONS
19. THE IMMIGRATION AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL NEED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN STAFFING TO CARRY OUT THE NEW REFUGEE POLICY. IN THE TIME AVAILABE, IT HAS NOT YET BEEN POSSIBLE TO EST- IMATE THESE WITH ANY DEGREE OF PRECISION.
PUBLIC REACTION
COUNTRIES.
20. THE TOUGH LINE UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE WELCOMED BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ALIKE. IT IS LIKELY
RESTTLEMENT ALSO TO BE ACCEPTED, OR EVEN SUPPORTED BY SOME THE GOVERNMENT MAY HOWEVER BE SUBJECT TO CRITICISMS FROM HUMANITARIAN GROUPS AND OVERSEAS REFUGEE AGENCIES
NDEFINITE DETENTION OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
FOR ITS
PUBLICITY
21. IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE NEW POLICY SHOULD BE PRESENTED IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT AND IN THE FULL CONTEXT OF THE PROBLEMS FACING HONG KONG. DIFFERENT STRATEGIES WILL BE REQUIRED WITH THE COMMUNITY. DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED MAIN TARGETS OF INTERNATIONAL
PUBLICITY PLAN WILL BE PUT TO MEMBERS SEPARATELY.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
52
LIMITED
HKD
SEAD
DISTRIBUTION
52
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR PS/PUS
MR GILLMORE
PAGE
SECRET
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