CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 07110OZ FCO
TELNO 3298
OF 07100OZ SEPTEMBER 88
CONFIDENTIAL
HKD 24318
7 SEP 48K
756.
COMS
TOP COPY O DIST ?
047764
MDHIAN 2522
YOUR TELNO 2271: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
PUS'S CALL ON HOCKE: 15 SEPTEMBER
WE SUGGEST THE FOLLOWING POINTS FOR INCLUSION IN THE PUS'S BRIEF:
(A) STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
1. GOOD PROGRESS IN DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN UNHCR AND OFFICIALS IN HONG KONG: AGREED TEXT MAY BE READY BY 15 SEPTEMBER. HKG'S INTENTION TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE SCREENING AND APPEALS PROCEDURES IN STRICT ACCORDANCE WITH UNHCR GUIDELINES AND ESTABLISHED INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE. UNHCR HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY. HOPE HOCKE WILL AUTHORISE SIGNING OF UNDERSTANDING. SO THAT PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR UNHCR MONITORING CAN BE PUT IN PLACE.
2. USEFUL IF UNHCR COULD THEN CONFIRM PUBLICLY THAT:-
(I) HONG KONG SCREENING AND APPEALS PROCEDURES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNHCR GUIDELINES AND ESTABLISHED INTERNATIONAL
PRACTICE:
(II) UNHCR PARTICIPATING BY MONITORING THEIR OPERATION AND BY ARRANGING FOR LEGAL ADVICE TO BE PROVIDED FOR PEOPLE WHO WISH TO APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION NOT TO ACCORD THEM REFUGEE STATUS.
(B) REPATRIATION
3. IMPORTANT TO START VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. HOPE UNHCR CAN PROCESS QUICKLY APPLICATIONS ALREADY PUT TO THEM. MAY WELL ENCOURAGE MORE RECENT ARRIVALS TO VOLUNTEER TO RETURN TO VIETNAM. REAL TRAGEDY IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE STILL SETTING OUT ON DANGEROUS JOURNEY WITH NO HOPE OF GETTING TO DESTINATION IN US, CANADA ETC
4. UNLIKELY, HOWEVER, THAT ALL WILL VOLUNTEER. INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OF REMAINDER NOT CLASSIFIED AS REFUGEES WILL BE NECESSARY. HOPE THIS CAN BE DONE WITH UNHCR BACKING AND ASSISTANCE.
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