TNAG-1793-FCO40-2553-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 335

CONFIDENTIAL

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6. The long term effect of the new policy would be to

shift the focus of future action from resettlement to

eventual repatriation. But as part of the new arrangements it will be necessary to resettle those Vietnamese already in Hong Kong as quickly as possible. This will only be possible if we can persuade the main resettlement countries to make a major effort to help. entirely share your reluctance to bring further Vietnamese refugees to this country, but do not in practice think there is any prospect of securing help from our friends unless we are prepared also to do something ourselves. I propose to discuss this aspect with Douglas Hurd.

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7. This should not however affect the adoption of the new policy on screening as the only possibly effective

early action to check the inflow. In his letter of 18 May, Charles Powell said that you were disposed to agree that Hong Kong should change their policy as proposed. should be grateful for your agreement that they should now be authorised to do so. It is intended that the new

policy should come into effect in mid-June.

8. I am copying this minute to the Home Secretary and to Sir Robin Butler.

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

6 June 1988

CONFIDENTIAL

(GEOFFREY HOWE)

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