TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 72

TABADV (2)

References

CONFIDENTIAL

A:

Hong Kong telno 1824 (text of paper for ExCo)

B: Hong Kong telno 1825 (draft timetable for implementation of

Operation Watchman)

Background

1.

The problem of Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong has

deteriorated sharply in recent months. So far this year a total of

nearly 3,500 Vietnamese boat people have arrived in Hong Kong

(compared with 500 in the corresponding period last year). Arrivals

in May have averaged 120 a day. There are now 12,300 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong as compared with 7,600 at this time last year: an increase of 62%. Of these nearly 10,000 are in the

existing closed camps, which are at bursting point and in various

emergency processing and holding centres which have been set up at

Green Island and other places to cope with recent arrivals. A fourth and possibly a fifth closed camp will be necessary very soon

to accommodate these increasing numbers.

2.

-

By contrast, resettlement departures this year amount to 840.

82 of them came to Britain, under our existing commitment to take 20

family reunion cases a month up to May/June 1989.

3.

Political pressures in Hong Kong for a change of policy are

continuing to grow. The issue was discussed at an OMELCO in-house meeting on 9 May, which the Governor has described as "very

hawkish". Miss Lydia Dunn subsequently wrote to the Chief Secretary

advising him that with the exception of one member all members were

unanimously of the view that the Hong Kong Government should be

asked to consider changing the existing first asylum policy. The

letter recorded that "members strongly feel that Vietnamese boat

people arriving in Hong Kong should not automatically be given the status of refugees. Experience over the years has proved the

existing policy ineffective as a deterrent against the influx of Vietnamese refugees". The Hong Kong Government are considering how

to reply.

CONFIDENTIAL