TNAG-1786-FCO40-2546-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-closed-camp-policy-1988 — Page 58

Conference on refugees was largely a British initiative and our record on resettlement is a creditable one. Since 1975 some 13,000 Vietnamese refugees have been resettled here from Hong Kong. Only the USA and Canada have taken more. Since 1987, when we made a commitment to take a further 468 refugees from Hong Kong, we have maintained our efforts to encourage others to accept more from the territory. In addition to our resettlement programme we are maintaining our efforts to persuade other resettlement countries to do more for Hong Kong.

In parallel with these efforts we are in discussion with the major resettlement countries, our EC partners and the UNHCR about durable solutions, including the creation of acceptable conditions for the return to Vietnam of those who do not meet the standard refugee criteria. Members of the Hong Kong Government have held preliminary meetings with the local representatives of ASEAN countries to discuss the matter further. We are also in contact with the Vietnamese authorities about various aspects of the problem, and have made our concern known to the principal ally of Vietnam, the Soviet Union. None of these channels offers the prospect of a quick or early solution to this complex problem, but we are persisting in our efforts on all fronts.

I

You express your concern about the existing arrangements for interviews and for letting people know their results, and your hope that the UNHCR and resettlement countries might introduce standard arrangements to give refugees time to prepare for interviews and to keep them in the picture on developments. suggest that this is another area to be tackled at the Hong Kong end. As agreed with you, I have sent a copy of your report to the Home Office, pointed out this area of concern to them and asked them to look into it.

Finally may I take this opportunity of thanking you once again for your report and wish you every success in your continuing work in Hong Kong.

Yours sincerely

Robert Footman

R C L Footman

Hong Kong Department