VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: SECRETARY OF STATE'S BILATERAL
WITH THE HOME SECRETARY, 4 OCTOBER
Checklist
Now 25,000 boat people in Hong Kong: three times level one year
ago. About 9,500 arrivals since change of policy, 16,000
refugees still in camps awaiting resettlement.
Time to look again at resettlement.
Positive developments help
us make a case for increased commitment:
dramatic drop in arrivals.
(i)
day, none in last 10 days.
about 100 per day since 16 June.
Average in September 13 per Compares with average of
(ii)
talks with Vietnam now in hand. Good start. Cannot
expect early comprehensive agreement. But fact that
Vietnamese are willing to talk about repatriation is a
deterrent.
(iii) Impact already felt in Hong Kong. 250 have now
volunteered to return to Vietnam.
Voluntary
BRC pressing for new commitment of 60 per month.
Agencies able to process many more than current level.
Our existing commitment due to end early next year. Important to demonstrate we are continuing to help Hong Kong.
Agreed in summer additional 1,000 commitment, at 40 per month.
Somewhat less than BRC proposal, but still think this is about
right.
Hope you can now agree to joint minute to Prime Minister and
colleagues.
CONFIDENTIAL
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