TNAG-2233-FCO40-3206-Visits-by-the-Office-of-Members-of-the-Executive-and-Legisla-1991 — Page 46

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But believe that IMC proposal offers best way to a durable solution. of the problem. Should not endanger its chances of success by rash or premature action.

Hope that you will fully support our plans for IMCs. If successful, should deter new arrivals, encourage voluntary departures, and ease pressure on Hong Kong, resulting in a steady and significant reduction in what HKG spends on migrants.

We will abide by our undertaking to resettle 2000 refugees from Hong Kong by June 1992. For various reasons progress has so far not been as fast as we would wish. But we are now seeking to accelerage the resettlement process.

(If raised) HMG is responsible for the conduct of foreign affairs for the territory but this does not mean that we alone must bear the costs for the Vietnamese migrants there. Since 1989, HMG has contributed some £35 million to international efforts to solve

the problem, including £3 million for Regional Refugee Transit Centre in the Philippines, £8.3 million for the Tai a Chau camp, and $150,000 for the Co Nhue transit centre near Hanoi.

VB 3AAU

CONFIDENTIAL