TNAG-1910-FCO40-2714-Financial-assistance-from-the-UK-Government-to-Vietnamese-re-1989 — Page 146

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HONG KONG TELNO 1842: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: UNHCR REIMBURSEMENT

1. WE HAVE DISUCUSSED HONG KONG'S CONCERNS, AS SET OUT IN TUR, AGAIN WITH CONCOLATO (HONG KONG DESK OFFICER, UNHCR).

2. UNHCR ORIGINALLY ENVISAGED THAT INDIVIDUAL COOKING FACILITIES WOULD BE PROVIDED TO ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES BY 30 JUNE, WHEN FOOD AND RELIEF ASSISTANCE WOULD BE DISCONTINUED FOR THOSE IN FULL EMPLOYMENT. UNHCR NOW RECOGNISE THAT IN CURRENT OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS WITH CONSEQUENT FIRE RISKS, THEY MAY NEED TO THINK AGAIN.

3. WE HAVE SUGGESTED THAT THEY RECONSIDER A PROPOSAL (REJECTED EARLIER, WE UNDERSTAND, ON ADMINISTRATIVE GROUNDS) OF PROVIDING CENTRALISED CANTEEN FACILITIES TO VRS (OTHER THAN IN PILLAR POINT

WHERE THERE WILL BE INDIVIDUAL COOKING FACILITIES) AND CHARGE VRS IN EMPLOYMENT FOR MEALS. WE HAVE ALSO ASKED UNHCR TO CONSIDER

EXTENDING THE 30 JUNE DEADLINE UNTIL THE MATTER IS RESOLVED.

COMMENT

4. IT IS CLEAR FROM DISCUSSIONS HERE THAT UNHCR HQ HAS LITTLE TO SAY

OVER DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS ON THE GROUND IN HONG KONG. THESE MATTERS

ARE LARGELY HANDLED LOCALLY. HKG MAY THEREFORE WISH TO PURSUE THE IDEA IN PARAGRAPH 2 ABOVE WITH LOCAL UNHCR REPRESENTATIVES.

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