TNAG-1911-FCO40-2715-Financial-assistance-from-the-UK-Government-to-Vietnamese-re-1989 — Page 108

Mr Sunc

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CONFIDENTIAL

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Mr Crabbie

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FROM:

B R IRETON

EXTN: 273 0439

DATE: 23 October 1989

cc Mr Lankester

Mr Ainscow

Mr Blatherwick

Mr Manning

Mr Kerby

Ms Lewis EED

Mr Paul, HK

Mr Colvin

Mr Stanton

Mr Faint

Mr Raleigh

EASTERN EUROPE/HONG KONG/VIETNAM

It might be helpful if I now reply to your minute of 14 September to which was attached Mr Griffiths' minute of the same date.

2. As regards economic assistance to Eastern Europe we are establishing a new ODA PES programme commencing this year. It will carry the Polish Know How Fund (except for "political aid") for which up to £5 million is available from the Reserve this year and £5 million was agreed as part of the DW PES settlement for subsequent years. The Hungary Know How Fund will be handled in the same way with expenditure starting next year. ODA will make a claim on the Reserve for 1990/91 to the extent that is necessary and will make a PES bid in next year's Survey. Other economic assistance to Eastern Europe will be handled in the same

way.

3. As regards Hong Kong Boat People, Sir Geoffrey Howe's minute to the Chief Secretary earlier this year set out the basis for allocating expenditure between ODA and DW votes. Thus in the Winter Supplementaries we shall take additional provision for possible assistance through UNHCR for a regional resettlement centre for Vietnamese refugees. have agreed that direct assistance to Hong Kong and repatriation funds would continue to fall on the DW vote.

4.

We

There remains the issue of how possible reintegration assistance should be handled, which is linked also to the monitoring of returnees. We are currently considering a draft minute for the Foreign Secretary to send to the Chief Secretary. I would expect these sums to fall to the ODA Vote provided I can satisfy myself and Mr Lankester that the cost of monitoring of returnees is small in relation to the total sum involved, and that the function is fully integrated with providing assistance to the local

communities.

CONFIDENTIAL

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