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without delay, and without waiting for further repatriation of non-voluntary returnees.

b. Although British public opinion found repatriation distasteful, there was a great deal of support for the Government's action. Criticism from the United States Administration nevertheless could have a damaging

It was regrettable that the United States Government had criticised the British Government's

effect.

The

actions over the Vietnamese boat people. In the past Britain had often been alone in supporting unpopular American policies. The American position on the

patriation of immigrants was inconsistent since the nited States also sent back illegal immigrants. United States policy derived in part from the psychological after-effects of the Vietnam war. United States Administration could be more helpful in persuading the Philippine government to establish a regional earing centre. The British Government should not hesitate to rebut American criticism, and should ask the United states Government in return whether it would make a clear mitment to take more refugees. In view of the critidy the United States, Britain no longer had any obligato support United States policy in South East Asia, except where it was consistent with British intereste

C.

ID

The policy of repation was overwhelmingly popular in Hong Kong would be helpful if leading Hong Kong figures couess their support on television and in the prese The media tended to choose the few, unrepresentative figures from Hong Kong who criticised the policy picity given to the conditions in the refugee camps as not necessarily unhelpful.

d.

Britain had a good case to make on the screening of refugees. Criticism of the monitoring process, which was carried out by the Embassy in Hanoi, was misguided. There were only nine families in the first repatriation group and these could easily be monitored Embassy. If necessary numbers in the increased as the repatriation gathered speed,

e.

the bass could be

Britain made a substantial financial contribution to

the United Nations. The United Nations Commis Refugees should be pressed to be more helpful monitoring.

for

f. Consideration should be given to protesting to Chinese government about the help which the Chinese authorities gave to the refugees who crossed the northern border from Vietnam and travelled through China before setting out by boat for Hong Kong.

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