IN RESPONSE TO THE APPEAL THE DANISH GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO IN-
FORM THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES THAT DENMARK IS PREPARED
TO OFFER ASYLUM TO UP TO 100 SOUTH VIETNAMESE POLITICAL REFUGEES AND POSSIBLY A FEW ADDITIONAL REFUGEES IN NEED FOR REUNION OF
FAMILIES. THIS DECISION IS IN-KEEPING WITH THE POLICY OF BOTH THE
PRESENT AND FORMER GOVERNMENTS.
THE DANISH REPLY TO THE HIGH COMMISSIONER WILL INDICATE CHAT THE
SOUTH VIETNAMESE REFUGEES GOING TO DENMARK SHOULD PREFERABLY COME
FROM HONG KONG WHOSE AUTHORITIES RECENTLY ALLOWED THE DANISH
FREIGHTER **CLARA MAERSK’* TO LET APPROX. 4,000 SOUTH VIETNAMESE
DISEMBARK THERE FOLLOWING A RESCUE OPERATION AT SEA.
THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION WILL NOT AFFECT THE BASIC ATTITUDE
TOWARDS THE REPATRIATION OF THE APPROX. 238 SOUTH VIETNAMESE
CHILDREN ON THE ISLAND OF LIVOE AS IT SHOULD DE RECALLED THAT
THE GOVERNMENT'S CONSENT TO RECEIVE THESE CHILDREN WAS BASED ON
ARTICLE 24 OF THE FOURTH GENEVA CONVENTION OF AUGUST 12, 1949, RELATIVE TO THE PROTECTION OF CIVILIAN PERSONS IN TIME OF WAR.
PERSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE CHILDREN MUST RE-
TURN TO THEIR NATIVE LAND UPON CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES.
NABODEOTEXTE Z
COPENHAGEN, MAY 22, 1975.**