TNAG-1793-FCO40-2553-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 165

"LONG STAYER" REFUGEES

—

Particularly concerned over position of refugees who have been

in Hong Kong camps for a long period of time.

Particular emphasis is placed on this category by ourselves and

UNHCR when approaching resettlement countries for further

resettlement places.

STATUS OF REFUGEES AFTER 1997

Firm intention that the Vietnamese refugee problem in Hong Kong

should be resolved well before 1997.

-

Joint Declaration on future of Hong Kong provides for

continuation after 30 June 1997 of Hong Kong's present social and

legal systems. Any refugees then in Hong Kong should thus retain

their current status.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEE ISSUE

—

Believe that conference on Vietnamese refugees alone, outside

broater context of Indo-Chinese refugees, would be very unlikely to

attract wide international support.

Conference on Indo-Chinese refugee situation would almost certainly become embroiled in the Cambodia issue. Convinced best

way forward is through our continuing discussions with UNHCR and

main resettlement countries.

Page 165Page 166