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INFO IMMEDIATE UKMIS GENEVA
PART ONE OF TWO
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HUD 243/3
012601 MDHIAN 9337
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
A LARGE FACILITIES FOR THEIR RECEPTION AND ACCOMMODATION. 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
AS A RESULT UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THEM FOR RESETTLEMENT AS REFUGEES.
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. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE SHOULD BE GIVEN
FOR:
(A) THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONTINUE PLANNING FOR THE INTRODUC- TION OF A NEW POLICY ALONG THE LINES OF THE OPTION IN PARA. 17 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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