Mr
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RM719
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Paul, HKD
HKB 243
川
FROM: C D Crabbie
RMD
DATE: 6 September 1989
cc Mr Gillmore
Mr Blatherwick
Mr McLaren
Mr Colvin, SEAD Mr Griffiths,
Finance Dept
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: UN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
1. I have seen Hong Kong telno. 2923 in which the Governor set out details of the funds he believes are required to continue the current construction programme and to provide a contingency reserve. The £26.1m must give us pause for thought.
2. You will recall that when we were discussing with Lord Glenarthur our last bid to the Treasury, I made the point that we needed to show how we were taking policy decisions which would ensure that the situation would ultimately be brought under control.
3. It is evident that we have not really achieved this, and that the £26.1m bill now being tendered is at least in part a consequence of our inability to solve the underlying problem. It follows therefore that the Treasury (and I suspect No. 10) are likely to be much stiffer about attaching conditions to any further provision. To put it at its crudest, we will have to demonstrate that we propose to implement an effective repatriation programme or, in the last resort, to abandon the policy of first asylum.
4.
Without these policy decisions, I am not optimistic that the extra money will be forthcoming.
5. I am sure that you will show RMD copies of any draft letters to the Treasury on the question of resources.
Gizapl Gathie
L
C D Crabbie
C16ACN
CONFIDENTIAL
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