TNAG-2679-FCO40-3876-British-Trade-Commission--Hong-Kong--and-China-Trade-Unit-re-1993 — Page 151

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(COMPARED WITH 48,000 WHEN MR GOODLAD LAST VISITED), THANKS TO THE VOLUNTARY AND THE ORDERLY REPATRIATION PROGRAMMES. I HAD

HOPED THAT VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS HAD BEEN DELETED FROM THE PUBLIC AGENDA. ONLY 12 ARRIVED IN 1992, AND ONLY 3 HAVE ARRIVED SO FAR THIS YEAR, INDICATING THAT OUR MESSAGE HAS GOT THROUGH: HONG KONG IS NO HAVEN. (THE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME HAS SLOWED DOWN AS WE APPROACH THE HARD-CORE OF LONG STAY CAMP INHABITANTS, AND WE ARE SEEKING WAYS TO REVIVE IT.)

23. HOWEVER, THE MATTER MAY BECOME A NEW HEADLINE ISSUE IN THE WAKE OF MEDIA REPORTS THAT THE UNHCR WILL CUT DOWN ON SERVICES WITHIN THE CLOSED CAMPS AND RENEGE ON ITS FINANCIAL AND OTHER COMMITMENTS (THUS INCREASING LEGCO FEARS THAT THE TAXPAYER WILL HAVE TO FOOT THE UNHCR'S OUTSTANDING BILLS). THERE HAS ALSO BEEN RENEWED CRITICISM OF UK'S UNWILLINGNESS TO BEAR A LARGER SHARE OF HK'S FINANCIAL BURDEN. THESE ARE LIKELY TO COME TO A HEAD WHEN WE APPROACH FINANCE COMMITTEE ON 21 MAY FOR MORE REINTEGRATION AID FOR VIETNAM.

PATTEN

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

.HK POLICY

65

DISTRIBUTION

72

NTCD

HKD

PUSD

FED

LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT

LEGAL ADVISERS//MISS BROOKS

LEGAL ADVISERS//MR GILES

NEWS D

PLANNERS

RAD

PS

PS/MR GOODLAD

SIR J COLES

MR HUM

ADDITIONAL

7

CAOFF//SIR R BRAITHWAITE (DIO)

CAOFF//MISS NEVILLE-JONES

CAOFF//MR SIBSON

PS NO 10.

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