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been returned to Vietnam since Hong Kong introduced screening in mid 1988, with another 700 currently in the pipeline. Negotiations with Vietnam on a programme of non-voluntary repatriation for those screened out as non-refugees (which is assessed as the only effective way of deterring further outflow and providing a long term solution to the problem in Hong Kong) are continuing satisfactorily, but no announcement is likely to be made before the second half of October.
4. Finally I understand the Secretary of State has asked about the position in the Philippines. There are two aspects. Firstly the Philippines have their own boat people problem, though with an arrival rate of no more than a few hundred a month it is tiny compared with Hong Kong. Secondly, it is proposed as part of the internationally negotiated comprehensive plan for action (CPA), that the Philippines should be the location of a Regional Processing Centre for those Boat People (the minority) who are assessed to be genuine political refugees, to be run by the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). If this is constructed quickly it will provide further relief for Hong Kong.
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Marti Havard
M L HOWARD Sec (0) (C) MB5314 6272MB
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