TNAG-1792-FCO40-2552-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 17

CONFIDENTIAL

(c)

7.

likely to generate the greatest response from other

*

resettlement countries. It would come at just the right psychological moment. It would thus be a very productive and

cost effective step;

we might consider a resettlement package based on more attractive (to us) criteria, eg involving resettlement of people who, while not meeting the standard family reunion criteria, seemed to have the potential to make a success of life in this country (enterprise, knowledge of English etc).

A further point to consider is that under the present circumstances of a vastly increased refugee population in Hong Kong, any new commitment by the UK would have to be seen to be

commensurate with the scale of the problem: it seems unlikely that an offer of the magnitude floated by Lord Glenarthur with Mr Renton (ie 400-500) would any longer be perceived in Hong Kong, or by other resettlement countries from whom we were seeking a matching

response,

as being adequate.

Colten

CO Hum

It is right that the Secretary of State should have the resettlement aspect in mind during his visit to Hong Kong. Whether or not a new policy is introduced, Hong Kong opinion will certainly expect HMG to mount a campaign to resettle genuine refugees - and to give a lead by agreeing to take more ourselves. We will come in for a lot of flackif we fail to do so.

2. Mr Hum points to the need for any new commitment to match the scale of the problem and suggests arguments which might be used to overcome Ministerial resistance to such a commitment. These argument have some force though I am not sure about 6(b): some resettlement countries will not like a screening/ repatriation policy and, other considerations apart, may be very reluctant to give it an apparent seal of approval by increasing their offtake from Hong Kong.

CONFIDENTIAL,

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