SECRET
012604
MDHIAN 9338
■
SECURITY IMPLICATION IN DETAINING A (POSSIBLY INCREASING) NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITHOUT HOPE OF RESETTLEMENT PENDING THEIR RETURN TO VIETNAM. THE ACTUAL PROCEDURE FOR SCREENING WOULD NOT BE EASY TO IMPLEMENT, PARTICULARLY FOR LARGE NUMBERS OF ARRIVALS WE MIGHT ALSO BE SUBJECT TO PRESSURE FROM RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO SCREEN IN INDIVIDUALS THEY WISHED TO RESETTLE REGARDLESS OF STRICT REFUGEE CRITERIA (E.G. FAMILY REUNION CASES) DESPITE THESE CONSIDERATIONS THE ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERS THAT FOR PRACTICAL AND POLITICAL REASONS, IT IS NOW NECESSARY TO INTRODUCE A NEW POLICY
ON THE LINES PROPOSED.
FINANCAIL AND STAFFING IMPLICATIONS
19. THE IMMIGRATION AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL NEED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN STAFFING TO CARRY OUT THE NEW REFUGEE
·
POLICY IN THE TIME AVAILABE, IT HAS NOT YET BEEN POSSIBLE TO EST- IMATE THESE WITH ANY DEGREE OF PRECISION.
PUBLIC REACTION
20. THE TOUGH LINE UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE WELCOMED
BY THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ALIKE. IT IS LIKELY ALSO TO BE ACCEPTED, OR EVEN SUPPORTED BY SOME RESTTLEMENT COUNTRIES. THE GOVERNMENT MAY HOWEVER BE SUBJECT TO CRITICISMS FROM
HUMANITARIAN GROUPS AND OVERSEAS REFUGEE AGENCIES FOR ITS
INDEFINITE DETENTION OF VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
PUBLICITY
21. IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE NEW POLICY SHOULD BE PRESENTED IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT AND IN THE FULL CONTEXT OF THE PROBLEMS FACING HONG KONG. DIFFERENT STRATEGIES WILL BE REQUIRED WITH THE MAIN TARGETS OF INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED
PUBLICITY PLAN WILL BE PUT TO MEMBERS SEPARATELY.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
52
LIMITED
HKD
SEAD
DISTRIBUTION
52
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
PS/PUS
MR GILLMORE
PAGE
SECRET
4
K
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