TNAG-1801-FCO40-2561-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-the-UK-1988 — Page 189

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

24 February 1988

12

TJ Flesher Esq

Bl Division

Home Office

Lunar House Wellesley Road Croydon CR9 2BY

Dan Tim,

HUD 243/12.

FEB 1988

1. I understand that you will be holding a meeting with UNHCR on 29 February which will be discussing questions arising from our commitment to take 468 named Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong, and the fact that a number of the named individuals are no longer available to come to the UK.

2.

As background to the meeting, you will wish to be aware of discussion at the latest quarterly resettlement meeting held by UNHCR in Hong Kong on 3 February. We understand that several resettlement countries expressed criticism of our resettlement programme. Concern was expressed in particular that we may be unwilling to "back-fill" the quota of 468 with other suitable refugees to replace those no longer available for UK resettlement for one reason or another.

3.

The Canadian representative at the meeting raised a specific case involving nine refugees in whom a private sponsor was interested. Four of the nine are on our list of 468 named individuals. We understand that the Canadian Government would be prepared to accept all nine refugees for resettlement if the UK would agree to "back-fill" the four places in some way. They probably would not accept just the five who are not on the UK list.

4. The Hong Kong Government suggests, and I agree, that an indication by HMG of willingness to "back-fill" any vacant places in the 468 would greatly assist in encouraging other resettlement countries to be helpful in their resettlement programmes. Conversely if HMG was perceived as failing to fulfil a formal commitment to take 468 refugees this could seriously damage our efforts to persuade others to take more, and would undoubtedly undermine our credibility.

5. I hope therefore that you will feel able to indicate to UNHCR that you will give positive consideration to filling any shortfall in our resettlement of family reunion cases. It would be most helpful if you could keep me informed of the outcome of the meeting and of any proposals you may subsequently work out to "back-fill" the quota of 468 places.

と

sucers,

Curr

CO Hum

Hong Kong Department

CONFIDENTIAL