TNAG-1803-FCO40-2563-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-talks-between-the-UK--Hong-Kon-1988 — Page 167

DRAFT PRESS STATEMENT

DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

Top Secret

Secret

Confidential

Restricted

Unclassified

PRIVACY MARKING

In Confidence

Representatives of the British and Hong Kong Governments

and of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

met in London on 11 and 12 October for the second round of

talks on solutions to the problems created by the number of

Vietnamese boat people trying to enter Hong Kong since the

introduction of the new policy on 16 June 1988. The

discussions took place in a friendly and constructive

atmosphere.

The two sides reviewed progress in implementing the

decision taken at the first round of talks in Hanoi on 3

and 4 August that realistic and effective measures to

bring the outflow of boat people from Vietnam to an end

were urgently required. They agreed that some progress ha

been made in stemming the outflow but it was essential to

persist in these efforts and, if necessary, to reinforce

in order that they should be/effective. ve.

them

fully be Leffe

The two sides agreed that it was essential to cooperate

in developing comprehensive arrangements to cover all boat

people in Hong Kong who, in accordance with the procedures

fx

and criteria for determination of refugee status laid down

in the 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol and in UNHCR

guidelines, have been found by the Hong Kong Government no

to be refugees. It was recognised that comprehensive

arrangements of this kind were a complex matter and that

if effort and good will would be required Mutually acceptabl

and effective arrangements were to be worked out and agree

In particular, such arrangements should include satisfacto

assurances about the humane and dignified treatment of

those concerned both before and after their safe

repatriation to Vietnam.

It was also agreed that