TNAG-1972-FCO40-2805-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1989 — Page 146

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VALEDICTORY CALL ON MR EGGAR BY MR OLE VOLFING, UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE

IN LONDON, 18 APRIL 1989

нко 24374

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

POINTS TO MAKE

Pleased with HMG/HKG/UNHCR Co-operation over Vietnamese boat people problem to date. Also pleased with progress towards Geneva

Conference.

Over

But Hong Kong faced with sharp increase in new arrivals. 2,000 new arrivals so far this year, up 124% over corresponding period in 1988. Now almost 27,000 boat people in Hong Kong.

Very concerned about prospect of major new influx this summer.

Last year 18,000 arrivals. On present trends this year's total will be substantially higher. Would impose enormous additional burden on Hong Kong.

Repatriation

Essential to stem flow.

During Lord Glenarthur's visit to anoi earlier this month, Thach undertook to step up publicity and to dissuade people from leaving.

Will also continue to do all we can to encourage voluntary

returns. But people not coming forward in great numbers. Must face reality that voluntary repatriation alone unlikely to solve problem.

,

Essential to deter Vietnamese boat people from setting off in the first place. Ultimately, only effective way of deterring further departures and dealing comprehensively with those screened out likely to be through introduction of mandatory repatriation. This is established international practice for dealing with illegal immigrants. Not an appealing prospect, but a lesser evil than indefinite detention in camps in Hong Kong of tens of thousands of boat people with no chance of resettlement in the West.