Thousands add to Hong Kong refugee crisis

Press, 26 May 1979, Page 9

Thousands add to Hong Kong refugee crisis

NZPA-Reuter Hong’ Kong The arrival in Hong Kong of a record 3000 Vietnamese “boat people” in one day has lent new urgency to pleas for help made to London by the British colony.

More than 2000 sailed in 1 < yesterday aboard old junks, t Another 982, rescued at I sea, came on the British If freighter Sibonga. Theli authorities in Hong Kong 11 are urging Britain to take the Sibonga refugees. But re- i ports from London did not 1 appear encouraging. i Sir lan Gilmour, the Brit- < ish Deputy Foreign .Secretary, told Parliament that 1 the new Conservative Gov- ( lernment would not follow ; the Labour Administration’s i policy of accepting responsi- i Ibiiity for refugees picked up c I in distress by British ships, < I when no other countries | would take them. I A Hong Kong government ‘ I spokesman, asked to com- ] |ment on the report, said: “If ( i this is so, this is very dis- i lappointing news.” I ■ Hong Kong’s refugee | population topped 34,000 ; I when a fleet of 17 junks j biought in 2107 “boat ; I people” who now face overcrowded transit centres and I a long- wail for a new home in the West. | One. official said: "We : (have never had so many (boat people arrive in one .

day in small craft since the end of the Vietnam war. ■ ! “We fear that with favourable monsoon winds many more will be heading this way.” The Sibonga, anchored in international waters, was boarded by a team of policemen, marine officials, and doctors on arrival. “The preliminary indication is that this is a case of genuine shipwrecked refugees,” a Government spokesman said. “We are, of course, in touch with London, and we have sent them oi r preliminary findings.” Sir lan Gilmour, acknowledging Hong Kong's crisis said: “We also have our problems, and we will urgently consult with them (Hong Kong) over the next few days.” A report from Bangkok yesterday said Thailand’s problem with refugees was growing worse. A military spokesman said more than .50.00 ) Kampuchean refugees were still on Kampuchean soil having flee since Viet-namese-led forces toppled the regime of the. then Prime Minister. Mr Pol Pot.