TNAG-1910-FCO40-2714-Financial-assistance-from-the-UK-Government-to-Vietnamese-re-1989 — Page 212

289.

0.-D. A LONDON.

NO. 012

005

The problem is likely to get worse before it begins to improve. There will almost certainly be increasing pressure on HMG to do more to assist Hong Kong

dime There have already been calls from LegCo members for cost-sharing between Hong Kong and HMG. +℗

In view of the gravity of the crisis facing Hong Kong, we will

need

ed to be ready to respond quickly and flexibly to further appeals 张

for financial assistance in the coming months so as to be able to

help in practical ways and, equally importantly, so as to be able to demonstrate our solidarity with Hong Kong at this difficult time, If we cannot respond sympathetically, our credibility and that of the Hong Kong Government will suffer.

In addition to the further calls on our funds which might arise from additional expenditure requirements within Hong Kong, we also need to take account of possible expenditure arising in connection with the ICIR. For example, we might be called upon to contribute to:

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(a) A regional holding centre to accommodate those screened out non-refugees pending their eventual return to their country of origin. This possibility is already provided for in the draft Comprehensive Plan of Action which is to be endorsed at the ICIR,

as

(b) An overspill centre outside Hong Kong either for new arrivals or for those with refugee status, which could be used to release space in Hong Kong.

We are also considering the possibility of a South China Holding Centre, located near the Vietnamese border, to which all boat people detained along the South China Coast or inland would be transferred pending repatriation or possibly resettlement. If we were to stand any chance of selling this idea to the Chinese, we would need to make some proposals on funding.

The cost to HMG will obviously depend on the rate of arrivals over the next few months. But if arrivals continue, at their present

Arr rate, Hong Kong will almost certainly require accommodation for a further 10,000 boat people later in the year. On the assumption