RESTRICTED
со
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 817
OF 08113OZ MARCH 89
HKB
24319
INFO ROUTINE UKMIS GENEVA, HANOI
2
сн
015155 MDLIAN 3388
HANOI TELNO 102 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG : FIRST RETURNS
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HANOI FOR THE REPORT IN TUR.
2. THE SMART APPEARANCE OF THE RETURNEES AND THE ELECTRONIC GADGETS
THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM WERE THE SUBJECT OF SOME COMMENTS IN THE HONG
KONG MEDIA.
3. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS UNHCR'S STANDARD PRACTICE TO PROVIDE
POCKET MONEY FOR RETURNEES BEFORE REPATRIATION (US DOLLARS 50 FOR EACH ADULT, AND US DOLLARS 25 FOR EACH CHILD). IN ADDITION, SOME OF THE RETURNEES HAD RECEIVED REMITTANCES FROM ABROAD DURING THEIR
STAY IN HONG KONG. THEY WERE KEEN TO PURCHASE ITEMS WHICH ARE NOT
NORMALLY AVAILABLE IN VIETNAM. SINCE NONE OF THE RETURNEES WAS PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE ARGYLE CENTRE, THEY ASKED UNHCR STAFF AND VISITING FRIENDS FOR ASSISTANCE. THIS WAS READILY PROVIDED.
4. WE SHARE HANOI'S CONCERN THAT THE MESSAGE TO POTENTIAL BOAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOW BE CONFUSED. WE SHALL BE DISCUSSING WITH THE UNHCR, WITH A VIEW TO POSSIBLE RESTRICTIONS ON PURCHASES BY RETURNEES IN HONG KONG IN FUTURE. HOWEVER, GIVEN UNHCR'S VERY SYMPATHETIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE RETURNEES, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT IT WILL AGREE TO IMPOSE ANY RESTRICTIONS.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
100
DISTRIBUTION
106
.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK
LIMITED
HKD
NEWS CSCE UNIT
PS
PAGE
1
RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.