TNAG-1794-FCO40-2554-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 274

BACKGROUND

References

CONFIDENTIAL

A

UNHCR Press Release of 15 June

Reporting telegrams on April ICG meeting

B

C

April ICG consensus on Vietnamese Boat People

1.

Before the implementation of new policy we briefed UNHCR fully UNHCR raised a number of queries, but

on it through UKMIS Geneva.

in brief their reaction was:

(a) to support in principle the introduction of "refugee status determining procedures"

(b) to express concern over the timing of the new policy. They are "presently involved in sensitive discussions with all parties directly concerned, including facilitating a sound programme

Vietnam

with a view to

which would include the

possibility of the return of non-refugee cases... under acceptable

conditions".

(c) to express concern that "unilateral decisions by parties involved could seriously compromise the collective efforts to reach

a coordinate solution".

A copy of their press release on the new policy is attached.

2.

We understand that there have been internal disputes within UNHCR on the new policy. This has been manifested in UNHCR's particular concern at the wording of a notice read to boat people on arrival in Hong Kong which states that those who land in Hong

CONFIDENTIAL