TNAG-1800-FCO40-2560-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-principle-of-first-asylum-1988 — Page 302

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177321

MDLIAN 3509

NOW ON THE SOUTH COAST. THAIS HAD TOLD UNHCR THAT THEY WERE DETERMINED TO DISCOURAGE CONTINUED HIGH LEVEL ARRIVAL RATES OF VIETNAMESE. PANAT NIKHOM HOLDING CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEARED (THROUGH RESETTLEMENT), AND ARRIVAL RATES GREATLY REDUCED (IE. SITUATION WOULD HAVE TO RETURN TO NORMAL) BEFORE THEY COULD REVIEW QUESTION OF RESETTLEMENT

OF THOSE IN SITE 2.

COMMENT.

4. THE THAIS HAVE, FOR THE TIME BEING AT LEAST, DECIDED TO CURTAIL OFFERING FIRST ASYLUM FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.

INITIAL REACTION AMONGST DONOR COUNTRIES WAS SURPRISINGLY SUBDUED, WITH THE US AND AUSTRALIANS ADVOCATING UNHCR COOPERATION AND INITIAL ACCEPTANCE OF THAI PROPOSALS.

5.

FRENCH, VISITING FROM HONG KONG, WILL BE CALLING ON ZAMAN ON 17 MARCH. WE WILL REPORT DEVELOPMENTS.

ΤΟΝΚΙΝ

YYYY

DISTRIBUTION

121

ΜΑΙΝ

118

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HK

ECD (E)

LIMITED

SPD

HKD

FED

SEAD

UND

LEGAL ADVISERS

WED

SED

PUSD

E CD (I)

NEWS

PS/LORD GLENARTHUR

PS MR EGGAR

PS/PUS

MR GILLMORE

MR SLATER

MR MCLAREN

ADDITIONAL

MRS WYETH ODA

3

MR FLESHER B1 DIV HO LUNAR HSE

NNN W

HKGO LONDON

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