On the international front, we are in close touch with UNHCR about all aspects of the problem. We have recently also been active within the European Political Co-operation framework; Geoffrey Howe has raised the matter with his EC Ministerial colleagues and we have taken the lead in organising a joint EC demarche in Hanoi calling on the Vietnamese authorities to take urgent steps to resolve the problem. We are also in regular contact with the other main resettlement countries such as the United States, Australia and Canada to enlist their support and assistance.
The Hong Kong authorities, for their part, are in close touch with the ASEAN countries and in particular with the other countries of first asylum. A representative of the Hong Kong Government attended a meeting in Bangkok on 18 - 19 July convened by UNHCR, to exchange views in the light of the willingness of the Vietnamese authorities to hold talks with the UNCHR and the first asylum countries. They will continue to co-ordinate their positions closely.
As you can see, there is much work in hand to tackle this important problem. We shall continue our vigorous efforts on all these fronts.
Усил
Sima
THE LORD GLENARTHUR
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