Vietnamese authorities are now issuing increasing numbers of exit permits to people who qualify for entry under our Immigration Rules and whom we have previously agreed to accept into the UK under the Orderly Departure Programme. All this puts considerable demands on our local resources and I regret that I see no scope in present circumstances for any increase in the speed of resettlement. The report rightly brings out the enormous difficulties involved in resettlement of Vietnamese people in Britain: it must therefore be right to proceed in accordance with our ability to absorb these new arrivals. In addition, as you know, we are persisting in our efforts to persuade other resettlement countries, particularly those which do not face the same immigration pressures as us, to do more to help. We will continue to take every opportunity to press the case for resettlement as energetically as we
can.
On the question of aid to Vietnam, I have taken note of the comments in the report. But I have to say that we have strong reservations about providing bilateral aid to Vietnam in present circumstances.
You ask what progress is being made regarding the return of those who do not meet the criteria of refugees to Vietnam, under suitable safeguards. We take every appropriate opportunity bilaterally and multilaterally to raise this question. We are in discussion with the major resettlement countries, our EC partners and the UNHCR on this. In parallel, the Hong Kong Government have held meetings with local representatives of ASEAN countries and plan to visit a number of ASEAN countries to explore the question further in the near future. We believe there is a growing awareness in the international community that resettlement is not the only answer and that a concerted effort must be made to persuade Vietnam to accept the return of those who do not meet the criteria of refugees. Our contacts with Vietnam make it clear that we cannot expect any quick solution. The whole question of Vietnamese refugees is of great concern to us, and was one of the main topics for discussion with the Governor during my transit stop in Hong Kong last month. I can assure you that we and the Hong Kong Government will continue to address the difficult issues of resettlement, repatriation and arrangements in centres in Hong Kong to the best of our abilities.
fina
THE LORD GLENARTHUR
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