CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 910
OF 16050OZ MARCH 89
2
CONFIDENTIAL
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041233
MDLIAN 5479
Detin Burton. 273
OUR TELNOS 579 AND 895: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE : FINANCE
Hw of DAV
Ret Unit
0470
John Madhun Apsi SEL
1. WE REPORTED IN FIRST TUR THE COMMENTS MADE IN LEGCO BY MARTIN LEE AND SELINA CHOW ON UK FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO DEAL WITH VBP IN HONG KONG. THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO CROP UP: THE LATEST OCCASION BEING DURING AMEETING OF THE LEGCO SECURITY PANEL ON 13 MARCH WHEN SEVERAL MEMBERS ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A DIRECT UK CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG. WE WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THE ISSUE ARISES AGAIN NEXT WEEK IN THE CONTEXT OF LEGCO'S CONSIDERATION OF THE FINANCIAL ESTIMATES. IT WOULD CERTAINLY BE RAISED AND NO DOUBT ARGUED STRONGLY IF WE WERE TO APPROACH FC FOR
ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO COVER VBP ACCOMMODATION.
2. IT WOULD THEREFORE BE HELPFUL TO HAVE A LINE TO TAKE. THE
QUESTIONS ARE MOST LIKELY TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING FORMS:
(A) COULD UK BE ASKED TO PROVIDE DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MEET THE RECURRENT COSTS OF MAINTAINING THE 26,000 REFUGEES AND
VBP IN HONG KONG ?
(B) COULD UK BE ASKED TO PROVIDE A DIRECT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG TO MEET THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
ON NEW VBP ACCOMMODATION ?
(C) IF UNHCR FAILS TO HONOUR THE OBLIGATIONS IN THE STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING WOULD UK MADE A DIRECT FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO HELP COVER THE COSTS OF CONSTRUCTING THE PILLAR POINT REFUGEE
CAMP ?
3. OUR LINE SO FAR HAS BEEN TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE UK'S
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS THROUGH UNHCR AND TO EMPHASISE THAT HMG ALSO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION IN THE FORM OF RESETTLEMENT PLACES. HOWEVER, THIS IS UNLIKELY TO SATISFY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AND OTHERS FOR MUCH LONGER. IT WOULD BE USEFUL TO HAVE YOUR VIEWS ON A DEFENSIVE LINE.
WILSON
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CONFIDENTIAL
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