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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 14 A JUN 1975
69 6/1
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HKIUR
MVD 198
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(a) SE Asia Dept Fro
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On kümlü Unit
(c) UN Day
NATIONS UNIES UNITED NATIONS
SERVICE DE L'INFORMATION
INFORMATION SERVICE
OFFICE DES NATIONS UNIES A GENÈVE
UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA
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Singapore (Sangoin
Chavanny Harwi
На Вильно.
A HE
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Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees
UNHCR STARTS REPATRIATION PROCESS
OF VIETNAMESE
Fress Release R7120 26 May 1975
30
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has received a request from the South Vietnamese authorities to assist in the organization of the return of all Vietnamese wishing to go back to their country. The request called on HCR to "render all necessary assistance" for the return of the Vietnamese who had to leave their country.
The Provisional Revolutionary Government's request makes a special mention of children and of those who had to leave their country against their wish and informs the United Nations Figh Commissioner for Refugees that it will welcome their return. "The Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet-Nam considers that the High Commissioner for Refugees is particularly qualified for this task which falls within its competence" and requests the High Commissioner, "to contact the countries where these Vietnamese are at present staying in order to promote the process of repatriation".
The High Commissioner, Sadruddin Aga Khan, stated, "Based on our experience, voluntary repatriation can be the happiest of solutions, though it is seldom the easiest. It depends on the understanding of all concerned, This request from the Vietnamese authorities expressing their willingness to have their citizens' return, represents the first and most important step."
The High Commissioner went on, "I would like to express a note of caution that solutions for all will not be found over night. Unlike many situations that my Office has faced in the past, this was not a mass exodus across a frontier to a neighbouring country. The Vietnamese situation is much more complex. Different groups in different circumstances are involved and it will take time to sort it out. However, it has been our experience that while these operations night begin slowly they gain momentum as the return begins."
The modalities of the operation are currently being worked out. Those wishing to return are being asked to fill out a UCR questionnaire for forwarding to the South Vietnamese authorities.
Les communiqués sont destinés à l'information; ils ne constituent pas des documents officiels
For use of information media; not an official record
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