FILE
27
CONFIDENTIAL
PTZABJ
TALKS WITH DR GASTON SIGUR, 22 APRIL
HKD 243/7
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
OBJECTIVES
(a) To encourage the US to take more Vietnamese boat people from
Hong Kong.
(b)
To sound out Dr Sigur on likely US attitude to possible new
initiatives in Hong Kong.
POINTS TO MAKE
Most grateful for US co-operation and assistance with this
problem over the years.
1.
2.
Situation in Hong Kong deteriorating: increasing arrivals and decreasing departures. Now nearly 10,000 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong compared with about 7600 in June last year.
3.
Had hoped US could do more in 1987. Understand US prepared to consider additional P6 cases, subject to the UK increasing its commitment of 468. UK is not major resettlement country. Crowded: immigration pressures from elsewhere. commitment hard to achieve.
4.
Additional
As you will know from recent visit to Hong Kong, there are increasing calls from Legislative Councillors for tougher action, including for Hong Kong to stop being place of first asylum. Indicative of strength of feeling on this issue. Hong Kong Government currently reviewing options.
Frank
We thought ICG meeting in Ottawa very useful. discussion of issues. Should assist in identifying way ahead for
5.
Hong Kong.
CONFIDENTIAL
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