TNAG-1749-FCO40-2468-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 103

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17:36 COI RADIO TECH SERVICES.

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FORHIGH JUC HONG KONG PRBES COMFBRANCH

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31 XAT 1988

QUESTIONS AND ANSVERS

SALLY BLYTH (RTHK):

Bir Geoffrey, you have just said now that you appreciate Hong Kong's refugee problem and that Hong Kong cannot go on offering itself as a transit point.

Does that mean that the British Government is seriously considering relieving Hong Kong of its "first asylum" status, 88 requested by Legislative Councillors and District Board members?

FOREIGN SECRETARY:

I have obviously discussed the various options with the Hong

Long Government; I will be discussing them also in London, and I

cannot, am I said in my statement, today anticipate the outcome of

that review, but as I also said in the statement, things cannot go

on as they are, the more so since most boat people are not political

refugane proper. Ve have to find a way of distinguishing between

the genuine political refugees and others.

BALLY BLYTH:

But it is one of the options you are considering?

FOREIGN SECRETARY

I think that must be plain from what I have already said.