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Well aware of strength of feeling in Hong Kong about this difficult problem. My own recent visit left me in no doubt about
this.
No question of UK ducking its responsibilities. Hong Kong Government has our full backing in its efforts to deal with problem.
And we are doing all we can to help. As Sir Geoffrey Howe told the House only two days ago, we want to ensure that problem is resolved as soon as possible before 1997.
Recent examples of our commitment:
1
Our decision to take 1,000 more Vietnamese refugees from
Hong Kong: a doubling of present intake.
Vigorous diplomatic initiative to persuade international
community do more. Lobbied 21 Governments. HMG generate
4,200 new resettlement places.
£1 million donation to UNHCR programme for Hong Kong in
1988, and in 1989.
Talks with Vietnam on repatriation. Pledge of US 125,000
to UNHCR financial assistance programme for returnees.
it
Pleased by outcome of the recent PrepCon in Kuala Lumpur;
has now been accepted by all parties involved that all boat people
screened out as non-refugees should return to Vietnam.
Grounds for optimism that International Conference will make progress towards solution of problem.
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