TNAG-1969-FCO40-2802-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1989 — Page 7

We proposed that the press statement should contain a reference to assurances of no reprisals against returnees. The Vietnamese resisted this, arguing that for legal reasons they could not make a public reference to the non-punishment of return of returnees, although in practice there would be no reprisals. In the end, agreement was reached on a reference to UNHCR being invited to participate in the implementation of the agreement on the basis that

the basis that the arrangements should be carried out in a humanitarian way.

Press Statement

This was issued at a joint press con ferance on 12 October 1988 in London. The text is at Annex B.

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B

Conclusion

at 5 pm

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Useful progress was made. The agreed language of the joint press statement protects a main element of Hong Kong's policy by its clear reference to the need for

for comprehensive arrangements for all arrivals after 15 June 1988 who do qualify for resettlement. The agreement reached also meets our immediate requirement for early return of as many volunteers as possible. Although the Vietnamese have not yet agreed to arrangements for the return of all those screened out the formula in the statement is a considerable advance on their previous position. We shall have to keep up the pressure on them in this area. But they did give hints that they realised that, gradully, they would have to tackle the overall problem. Meanwhile, it makes sense, in our interests as well as those of the Vietnamese, to start with the volunteers and to try to encourage as many boat people as possible to join that category.

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It was also clear that we could not have reached any agreement without a commitment by the British side on financial assistance, at least in principle. The Vietnamese confirmed their acceptance that this should be organised by and channelled through UNHCR. They made clear that they realised that the assistance would be on the lines of established UNHCR arrangements for targetted and limited reintegration assistance. They did not ask for project aid.

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On the details of return, an unresolved point was the strong Vietnamese request for a visit by their "technical personnel" to Hong Kong. While we have reserved our position on this and spelled out the problems which a visit could cause, we believe that a visit within carefully defined limits would probably be worth conceding in order to get things moving, as the Vietnamese have accepted the need for a very low profile. We would of course need to keep a watchful eye on Chinese reactions, and on any attempt by the Vietnamese to establish permanent presence.