TNAG-1803-FCO40-2563-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-talks-between-the-UK--Hong-Kon-1988 — Page 98

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CPE/LON 540

MICA. 243/15

14 OCT 1988

13.10.88

16.00 HRS

FA

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106

037741

MDLOAN 6797

DIFFUSION RESTREINTE

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG

REFERENCE: CPE PAR 375

1.

PARTNERS MAY LIKE TO KNOW THAT THE UK HELD A SECOND ROUND OF TALKS WITH VIETNAM ON 11-12 OCTOBER,

IN LONDON. THE TALKS WERE HELD IN A FRIENDLY

AND CONSTRUCTIVE ATMOSPHERE. THE MAIN OUTCOME WAS

(A) THE TWO SIDES ACCEPTED THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE

ARRANGEMENTS FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN HONG

KONG AFTER 15 JUNE 1988 WHO DO NOT QUALIFY AS REFUGEES FOR RESETTLEMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

(B) AS A FIRST STEP, THE TWO SIDES AGREED TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE START ON PHASED RETURNS TO VIETNAM OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED TO RETURN COVER 350 HAVE ALREADY DONE SO):

(C) THE BRITISH SIDE CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS READY IN PRINCIPLE TO EXTEND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE ORGANISATION OF REPATRIATION TO, AND RESETTLEMENT IN VIETNAM:

(D) THE TWO SIDES INVITED UNHCR TO PARTICIPATE IN THE IMPLE- MENTATION OF A REPATRIATION PROGRAMME ON THE BASIS THAT IT SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN A HUMANITARIAN WAY.

2.

THE UK BELIEVES THAT THIS OUTCOME PROVIDES A GOOD BASIS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE, HUMANITARIAN AND DURABLE SOLUTION TO THIS SAD PROBLEM.

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