TNAG-1793-FCO40-2553-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 181

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

SECRET

133273

MDHIAN 3304

SIR, THERE IS NO SIMPLE SOLUTION TO THE SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH CONFRONTS US, WE RECOGNISE THAT WE CANNOT SOLVE IT ON OUR OWN AND THAT INTRODUCTION OF SCREENING IS NOT THE WHOLE ANSWER, BUT WE FEEL MOST STRONGLY THAT A STAND MUST BE TAKEN HERE AND NOW AGAINST THE CONTINUING OUTFLOW OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM, THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHOM HAVE NO CLAIM TO BE TREATED AS REFUGEES IN THE

NORMAL INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SENSE.

A DURABLE HUMANITARIAN WAY MUST BE FOUND OF STOPPING THESE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM PUTTING TO SEA IN SMALL BOATS, IN THE HOPE OF MAKING A NEW LIFE FOR THEMSELVES IN WESTERN COUNTRIES.

IT IS CLEAR THAT THESE WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE NO LONGER PREPARED TO

OFFER A NEW LIFE TO THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE NOW LEAVING VIETNAM. NOR

SHOULD THIS TINY OVERCROWDED TERRITORY BE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE

A HOME FOR THEM, EVEN IF THEY WANTED TO STAY HERE, AND IT IS

CLEAR THEY DO NOT.

WE THEREFORE URGE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE UNHCR TO FIND

AN INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION TO THIS INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM.

WAYS MUST BE FOUND OF STOPPING THIS UNHAPPY TIDE OF HUMANITY FROM

CONTINUING TO FLOOD FROM THE SHORES OF VIETNAM.

ENDS.

WILSON

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