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Arrangements are under way to repatriate to Vietnam next
month a first batch of 81 Vietnamese boat people who have asked to go
back.
They will fly back to Vietnam on March 2 under the
arrangements made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Tour technical-level officials from. Vietnam have just
concluded a brief visit to Hong Kong interviewing and issuing travel
documents to the 81 Vietnamese boat prople.
In the meantime, preparations are also in hand for the
repatriation of a second batch of voluntary returnees. It is expected
that the second batch will be repatriated in April.
The repatriation arrangements follow the second round of
talks held in London last October between the UK/HK governments and
the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnan.
At the meeting, the two sides accented the need for
comprehensive arrangements for Vietnamese boat people arriving in
Hong Kong after June 15, 1988 who do not qualify for reuettlement in
other countries. Both sides agreed to make an immediate start on phased
returns to Vietnam of those who have already applied to return.
Hong Kong is adopting a screening policy whereby Vietnamese
boat people arriving in Hong Kong after June 15, 1988, are screened to
determine their refugee status.
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