TNAG-1906-FCO40-2710-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 102

MADACV

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

33. PROGRESS ON REPATRIATION

206

HK B 24319

-

At Geneva Conference I made clear in plain terms that without repatriation Hong Kong would simply be unable to maintain policy of first asylum indefinitely.

-

Report of

Outcome of Conference on this point was not unhelpful. Secured

general recognition of fact that all those boat people who do not

qualify as refugees must find their future in Vietnam.

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs recognised that it is intolerable for those who do not qualify as refugees to have to spend years in camps.

Glad to say that good progress is now being made in our bilateral

talks with Vietnamese on repatriation. I have had talks in London

and Geneva with Vietnamese Foreign Minister.

Still have some way to go before we achieve a complete solution.

But believe we have finally turned the corner on this issue.