TNAG-1910-FCO40-2714-Financial-assistance-from-the-UK-Government-to-Vietnamese-re-1989 — Page 172

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 1700

OF 24113OZ MAY 89

INFO IMMEDIATE UKMIS GENEVA

CONFIDENTIAL

HKB 243/11

(42

123557 MDHIAN 6194

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE : UNHCR REIMBURSEMENT

WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BY UNHCR THAT THEY INTEND TO WITHDRAW THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR REFUGEES IN HONG KONG FROM 30 JUNE 1989. THEY ARGUE THAT THE LIBERALISATION PROGRAMME HAS MADE THE GREAT MAJORITY OF REFUGEE FAMILIES IN HONG KONG FINANCIALLY SELF SUFFICIENT. IT IS THEREFORE NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR THE HKG TO PROVIDE FOOD AND RELIEF ITEMS TO SUCH PEOPLE AND FROM 30 JUNE UNHCR IS NO LONGER PREPARED TO REIMBURSE HKG FOR THIS EXPENDITURE.

2. WE WOULD HAVE NO (NO) OBJECTION TO UNHCR'S POSITION PROVIDED

THEY WERE ALSO PREPARED TO TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE REFUGEE CAMPS FROM THE SAME DATE. HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT (NOT) PREPARED TO TAKE OVER THE SHAM SHUI PO AND TUEN MUN CAMPS WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE EXPENDITURE ON RENOVATION WORKS. THEIR RELUCTANCE TO TAKE OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE TWO CAMPS HAS BEEN REINFORCED BY OUR RECENT ACCOMMODATION MOVES AND CONSEQUENT OVERCROWDING. THEY ARE HOWEVER STILL PLANNING TO TAKE OVER THE PILLAR POINT CAMP AS IT BECOMES

AVAILABLE IN STAGES FROM LATE JUNE.

3. WE UNDERSTAND FROM THE LOCAL UNHCR OFFICE THAT THE PROBLEM LIES IN

A REFUSAL BY GENEVA TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE TO US TO HAVE FUNDS CUT OFF PRIOR TO THE UNHCR TAKE-OVER OF THE CAMPS AND IN OUR VIEW SUCH A MOVE WOULD BE IN BREACH OF SECTION A(3) OF THE STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING WHICH STATES :

QUOTE

THE UNHCR WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THE COSTS OF THE CARE, MAINTENANCE AND SOCIAL SERVICES REQUIRED BY ALL ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES AND PERSONS DETERMINED NOT TO BE REFUGEES AS PROVIDED IN PROJECT AGREEMENTS WITH HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, AND

SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE. THESE INCLUDE THE COSTS OF FOOD, WATER, FUEL, TRANSPORT, RELIEF ITEMS, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND LEGAL ADVICE.

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CONFIDENTIAL