TNAG-1915-FCO40-2719-Hong-Kong-resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-in-third-count-1989 — Page 72

CONFIDENTIAL

D 13.

The Secretary of State has already suggested that proposals

might be put to OD. I am sure that this would be the right way to proceed. A meeting has been fixed for 8 June. A comprehensive paper, covering all aspects of the boat people problem will be

prepared. But first we need to ensure that the Home Office are on

board. The draft minute seeks to achieve this.

Ry 1918

Miss Marsin Mc Forgan 1915 Mr Happen

HKB 243/28

i-ziz Panc

wi%

1/

A R Paul

[THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES (ICIR) :

RESETTLEMENT]

1.

Because of the scale of the problem in Hong Kong, we have concentrated our recent efforts on:

2.

pressing the Vietnamese to stop the outflow and the Chinese to discourage, and if

possible prevent, people coming to Hong Kong; and

working for an outcome to the Conference which will offer an early prospect of the return to Vietnam of all those who are screened-out.

Resettlement is nevertheless a very important part of the Conference package. It will be a major achievement if we secure an agreement to clear the camps in Hong Kong within three years of all the 14,500 refugees now there, and of all those boat people who may be screened-in (about 10% of the post-June 1988 arrivals). It is important that we should play our part in securing that result by making a new resettlement pledge of our own. Given our responsibility for Hong Kong, an offer of anything below 1,000 new places would not look serious.

CONF IDENTIAL

/3.