TNAG-1910-FCO40-2714-Financial-assistance-from-the-UK-Government-to-Vietnamese-re-1989 — Page 190

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DSR 11C (Revised 5/87) further call on the ODA's already overstretched refugee

funds. So far, we have been able to use aid funds to

respond to UNHCR appeals to solve the immediate problem

(most recently £6 million) but that has already put the

aid programme's in-year Contingency Reserve under very

I see no scope for further

considerable strain.

contributions from this source to what could become a

very large operation. We should also need to respond to

other refugee situations in Africa and Afghanistan and

retain some flexibility within the aid programme to meet

other genuine contingencies which may arise during the

remainder of the year. Other costs (such as the

construction of detention centres in Hong Kong or a

Regional Holding Centre for non-refugees) would clearly

not fall to the ODA, and could only be met from an

enhanced Diplomatic Wing vote.

I hope you will be prepared to consider urgently and

sympathetically any bids that may be necessary in the

coming months. I will of course keep you informed of

further developments.

Copies of this minute go to Chris Patten and

Simon Glenarthur.