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DRAFT LETTER FROM PRIVATE SECRETARY TO PS/NO 10
A
VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS: ORDERLY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME (ORP)
In my letter of 16 April I said that we were instructing HM Ambassador in Hanoi to start formal discussions with the Vietnamese on the modalities of ORP II, the second phase of the ORP, involving the return of non-refugees who were already in Hong Kong when the programme was announced last October.
I attach the text of the paper now agreed ad referendum between the Ambassador and the Vietnamese together with a side letter (the existence of which will not be made public) allowing a review of the programme after three flights. This is based on an understanding, which Hong Kong accept, that a financial contribution will be forthcoming from Hong Kong itself towards Vietnam's costs of reintegrating migrants into their local communities. We would propose to authorise the Ambassador to sign these texts as soon as possible, probably next week and for announcements of the signature of the modalities paper be made in Hong Kong and in Hanoi on the same day. We would confirm the news in London the following morning.
We propose to arrange for a PQ to be tabled announcing this next stage in the Orderly Repatriation Programme I enclose a draft text. We shall also be informing other governments which support the UNHCR's Comprehensive Plan of Action which inter alia states that all non-refugees should return to their countries of origin.
I shall let you know the timings of the various public announcements once a date for signature has been agreed.
OK5AH1
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