CONFIDENTIAL
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
6.
the two sides agreed on the need for comprehensive arrangements for all arrivals who, under Hong Kong's new policy, do not qualify as refugees for resettlement;
the two sides agreed to make an early start with the return of those (now over 400) who have already asked to go back to
Vietnam;
the two sides agreed that UNHCR was the appropriate agency to arrange a humanitarian repatriation programme, which would include modest reintegration assistance;
we confirmed that we were ready in principle to contribute to such a programme through UNHCR.
Since 1975, Britain has accepted over 13,000 Vietnamese boat people from Hong Kong. Our current resettlement commitment is for 468 Vietnamese boat people from Hong Kong over 2 years from May 1987. The Secretary of State has agreed that we should make a case to Ministers for a new resettlement commitment of about 1,000
over the next 2-3 years.
7.
-
over
Australia has a good resettlement record from Hong Kong 6,000 since 1975 and 501 last year. But there are pressures to take less, and Australians are conscious that many "refugees" are in fact economic migrants. So far this year they have resettled 289
(c.f. Canada 907, USA 579, UK 166).
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.