ROZADP
- CALL ON MR MCLAREN BY TRAN VAN HUNG, VIETNAMESE AMBASSADOR,
11.30 AM ON FRIDAY 6 MAY 1988
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
(Points to Make)
Wish to draw attention to para 8 of Joint Declaration by EC/ASEAN Ministers at their recent meeting, dealing with Indo-Chinese refugees. (Hand over text.) You will note that the Ministers expressed serious concern about the flow of boat people from Vietnam; stated that Vietnam should co-operate with others to find a solution; and urged Vietnam to accept the return, subject to satisfactory guarantees, of those who do not meet the agreed criteria for refugee status.
Nearly 3000
Seriously concerned at deteriorating situation in Hong Kong. 500 arrivals in Hong Kong this year. times as many as in the same period last year. In last month alone well over 1,000
day
m
May
11,745
120 on avenge a arrivals. Population in 'Hong Kong now over 11,200 compared with about 7,600 in mid-1987.
Continued illegal departures from Vietnam placing an increasing burden on places of first asylum. Bad for Vietnam's image, negative effect on Vietnam's relations with regional and other governments. In Vietnam's own interest to take effective steps to stop illegal outflow, and to address the problems this outflow has created for others.
Pleased to note that Orderly Departure Programmes are now working more smoothly. This should help to reduce illegal departures. Also welcome recent decision to accept return of four voluntary repatriation cases from Hong Kong. But Vietnam needs to do more:
vigorous action to reduce illegal departures
more rapid processing of voluntary return cases. You still have one case in Hong Kong which has been outstanding since 1985. Recently 12 new cases have been put forward by UNHCR. (Hand over list of these 13 cases).
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