TNAG-1787-FCO40-2547-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1988 — Page 265

Comment

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Very limited flexibility in Home Office stance. We should keep

close watch on monthly UK resettlement figures and keep pushing

for a shift in balance of arrivals to the first 12 months of

the two-year period.

Important to plan ahead for new intake post July 1989 to avoid

the damaging gap of nil intake which occurred in first half of

1987.

Defensive line should continue

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"continuing commitment" etc;

emphasis more on past record - 13,000 since 1975, third highest

total etc.

3.

Resettlement Elsewhere

Disappointing response to diplomatic campaigns. Plenty of sympathetic noises, very few definite extra offers.

Reasons

"compassion fatigue"

increasing percentage of North Vietnamese

arrivals - not seen as political refugees, fewer relatives.

already settled overseas

perception that UK has not done enough to provide lead/incentive

Particular Areas of Concern

United States

Total US resettlement in 1987

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333 (1986-1323).

Frequent approaches made to US in 1987.

Hong Kong not US priority.

- Pé places a possibility dependent on increase of UK intake?

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Fy 88: 29,500 refugees from S.E. Asia to be taken by US HK

quota?

Norway

Total in 1987 33 (1986

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114)

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Several approaches made.

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