SECRET
FM
HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 031300Z FCO
TELNO 2160
OF 03110OZ JUNE 88
231
SECRET
3/8
HKD 243/8
077044
MDHIAN 1842
TOP COPY Q DIST 7
MY TELNO 2155: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: OPERATION WATCHMAN
I SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING POINTS SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE US, AUSTRALIA, CANADA AND JAPAN
(A) EMPHASISE THE GROWING IMBALANCE BETWEEN DECLINING RESETTLEMENT OFFTAKE AND FAST INCREASING INFLOW (WE WILL SUPPLY LATEST FIGURES WHEN THE TIME COMES).
(B) ALMOST ALL NEW ARRIVALS ARE NOT REFUGEES BUT ECONOMIC MIGRANTS. MOREOVER FROM THEIR GENERAL CONDITION OF HEALTH THEY ARE NOT FLEEING FAMINE OR OTHER EXTREME CONDITIONS
UNLIKE OTHER
(C) HONG KONG'S RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED TO THE LIMIT. FIRST ASYLUM COUNTRIES HONG KONG FOOTS MOST OF THE BILL. LOCAL PRESSURE FOR CHANGE IS MOUNTING AND CANNOT BE IGNORED.
(D) THE NEW POLICY WILL CENTRE ON SCREEING UNDER UNHCR GUIDELINES AND WITH UNHCR CO-OPERATION.
IN
(E) GENUINE REFUGEES WILL BE RECOGNISED AND ACCOMMODATED CLOSED CAMPS WITH OTHER REFUGEES. OVER TIME CONDITIONS IN THESE CAMPS WILL BE LIBERALISED.
(F) NON-REFUGEES WILL BE HELD AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS PENDING REPATRIATION BUT NOT IN PRISON CONDITIONS I.E. NO GREATER HARDSHIP THAN CONDITIONS IN PRESENT CLOSED CAMPS.
·
2. WE WILL WISH TO SOLICIT ACTIVE SUPPORT OF THESE MAJORE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES
(A) IN OBTAINING THE UNDERSTANDING OF UNHCR AND OTHER COUNTRIES.
(B) IN DEALING WITH RESETTLEMENT OF LONGSTAYERS. UNDER
THE NEW POLICY THE NUMBER OF GENUINE REFUGEES SHOULD BE VIRTUALLY FINITE: THOSE HERE ALREADY PLUS A SMALL CONTINUING TRICKLE.
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