TNAG-1979-FCO40-2812-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-temporary-accommodation-measu-1989 — Page 20

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Miss Marsden Mc Formany's

Mr Hasysch

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FROM: Lord Glenarthur

DATE: 11 May 1989

CC:

Secretary of State Mr Eggar

Sir P Wright

Mr Caines

Chief Clerk Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Mr Blatherwick

Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Colvin, SEAD

Mr Crabbie, RMD

Mr Patten

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG : EMERGENCY TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION

1.

As you are only too well aware, since we last discussed the Vietnamese boat people crisis facing Hong Kong, the situation has deteriorated further. The latest position is that there have been 7,600 arrivals so far this year (130% up on 1988); 5,000 arrivals in the past four weeks; and 2,300 arrivals in the last week.

2.

All the existing centres for boat people in Hong Kong are full. The authorities are now using ferries. These too are full. They are now drawing on the stock of British Forces tents available in the territory. This stock will be exhausted by the end of this week and it will be very difficult to find more suitable tents locally.

3. The Governor of Hong Kong has therefore urgently requested us to fly out tents from the UK on an emergency basis to provide accommodation for up to 5,000 people. If emergency accommodation is not available, there will be growing pressure in Hong Kong to abandon the policy of first asylum. Alternatively new arrivals might have to be left on board unseaworthy vessels to face the approach of the typhoon season.