TNAG-1905-FCO40-2709-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 15

BAGACS

CONFIDENTIAL

FILE.

882

181

HKB

243/9

FROM: A R Paul

Mr Gillmore

PS/Mr Maude

Private Secretary

Hong Kong Department

DATE : 3 August 1989

CC

: PS/Mrs Chalker

PS/Lord Brabazon

Mr Colvin (Paris by fax)

Mr Thomas, SEAD

Mr Brenton, UND

Mr Grant, News Department

Mr Crabbie, RMD

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE : REPATRIATION

Mr Fraser

Problem

1. The Government's policy is to work for the repatriation to Vietnam of all boat people in Hong Kong who are screened out as non refugees, whether they wish to return or not. Vietnam has agreed to the non forcible return of non volunteers but it is proving

difficult to find sufficient candidates for this. The United States

have opposed what we are doing and UNHCR are refusing to cooperate with us.

2.

How should we proceed?

Recommendation

3.

I recommend that :

(a) we ask Hong Kong to persist in their efforts to find

suitable candidates for the first batch of non voluntary

returnees;

CONE IDVENT TAT

Page 15Page 16