TNAG-1894-FCO40-2688-Visit-by-Francis-Maude--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1989 — Page 54

TOCAAO (3)

CONFIDENTIAL

9. Use of Army to manage Vietnamese Boat People Centres

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Have every confidence in ability of Hong Kong Government's

Correctional Services Department to manage boat people centres, with

support of Royal Hong Kong police.

Despite enormous difficulties caused by flood of arrivals, all

concerned have dealt with extremely difficult problem with skill and patience. Standard of camp management generally very high. I know that Hong Kong authorities are determined to maintain this high

standard.

10. First asylum policy forced on Hong Kong by UK

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Policy of first asylum is part and parcel of internationally

agreed arrangements to achieve comprehensive solution to Vietnamese

boat people problem.

These arrangements have already resulted in resettlement of over

110,000 boat people from Hong Kong since 1979.

11.

Concern over security and health situation in camps

Confident that Hong Kong Government are doing everything they

possibly can in very difficult circumstances. But security and

health problems in the camps underline urgent need to find

comprehensive solution.

12. If Comprehensive Plan of Action fails, what next?

We have not got to that point yet.

Agreed with United States Government last week to urge UNHCR to put more effort and resources in counselling. Hope that this

counselling will encourage more and more of the economic migrants to

return home.

We will then have to consider where we go from there.

CONFIDENTIAL