TNAG-1894-FCO40-2688-Visit-by-Francis-Maude--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1989 — Page 55

TOCAAO (4)

CONFIDENTIAL

13.

What progress on Regional Holding Centre?

Have already announced our readiness to contribute £5 million

towards costs of Regional Holding Centre to which all refugees from

Hong Kong and region could be transferred while they await

resettlement.

Hope this Centre can be established as soon as possible in order

to relieve some of the pressure in Hong Kong.

14.

Parallel between economic migrants from Vietnam and East German

economic migrants to FRG?

No direct relationship between the two.

Internationally agreed principle that non-refugees should return to their country of origin. That is not a uniquely British

position.

CONFIDENTIAL