1
THE REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE
UNITED States of America
TO THE
EUROPEAN OFFICE of the United Nations
GENEVA
June 21, 1988
• Hire
R
24/6
His Excellency
John A. Sankey, C.M.G.,
Permanent Representative
Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom
37-39, rue de Vermont
1211 Geneva 20
John
ador:
Dear Mr. Ambassador:
I wish to provide you with a copy of the official statement which my Government made on June 17, outlining its reaction to the recent decision made by Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Hong Kong concerning the screening of Vietnamese arrivals in Hong Kong.
It is clear from this statement that my Government's support for the decision to screen is based on the assurances we have received that the new policy will be implemented in a reasonable and responsible manner in accordance with current UNHCR criteria for determination of refugee status. In this regard, we believe that the notices which the Hong Kong Government proposes to give to arrivals, to distribute in the People's Republic of China and to include in mail to Vietnam still do not meet those criteria. In particular, the notices do not adequately inform boat people of their right to seek first asylum upon arrival in Hong Kong. By encouraging those already in Hong
Kong to sail on, they seriously endanger lives.
We are also concerned that United Kingdom and Hong Kong authorities understand that in cases where screening misses asylum-seekers of special interest to the United States, such as family reunification cases, my Government would seek access to those persons for purpose of resettlement.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.