TNAG-2071-FCO40-2949-Vietnamese-boat-people-1990 — Page 11

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MDHOAN 8092

YEAR). TWO THIRDS CAME FROM THE SOUTH OF VIETNAM, A REVERSAL OF THE TREND IN 1989 WHEN THE GREAT MAJORITY CAME FROM THE NORTH. IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO BE SURE WHETHER WE WILL ESCAPE AN INFLUX ON THE 1989 SCALE. BUT THE SHARP FALL IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ARRIVALS AS WELL AS IN THE PROPORTION COMING FROM THE NORTH MAY SUGGEST THAT OUR DECISION TO REPATRIATE A SMALL GROUP OF NON-VOLUNTEERS LAST DECEMBER, COUPLED WITH THE INTENSIVE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS MOUNTED IN RECENT MONTHS, HAS BEGUN TO MAKE A REAL IMPACT.

31. GOOD PROGRESS HAS ALSO BEEN MADE IN RESETTLING THOSE WITH REFUGEES STATUS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PLEDGES GIVEN AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE IN JUNE 1989. MORE THAN HALF OF THE 13,000 REFUGEES IN HONG KONG AT THAT TIME WILL HAVE BEEN RESETTLED IN THE WEST BY JUNE 1990. THE PHILIPPINES GOVERNMENT HAVE ALSO AGREED THAT REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO THE REFUGEE PROCESSING CENTRE AT BATAAN PENDING RESETTLEMENT, THUS HELPING TO RELIEVE PRESSURE ON ACCOMMODATION IN THE TERRITORY. THERE IS THUS EVERY PROSPECT THAT ALL THOSE WITH REFUGEE STATUS WILL HAVE LEFT HONG KONG BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

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PS/MR MAUDE

MR GILLMORE

MR MCLAREN

MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS

MR WALKER, RESEARCH DEPT

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