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5.
Mr. Morrow pointed out that until contributions had been made by some organi- sations on the Standing Conference and the initial grant from ODM, the financing for the coordination work had been carried by the YMCA without any support. A1 funding from other services had been for the medical and educational work.
The Situation in Indo-China
Dr. McMichael reported that large numbers of Vietnamese had been expelled from Cambodia. In the last few months this figure had been increased by 170,000, including 18,000 Cambodians of Chinese origin, making a total of over 300,000. There were also some 750,000 displaced persons within Vietnam as a result of the war with Cambodia. Exact figures were difficult to obtain. The situation had been aggravated by disastrous harvests and this, with the huge influx and the effects of thirty years of war had intensified the acute position. Medical and Scientific Aid for Vietnam had sent general relief supplies, antibiotics, etc. but the numbers were so vast it was only possible to reach the fringe.
The UNHCR and ICRC were working in Vietnam. The High Commissioner was dis- cussing the position and a possible resettlement programme during his visit to Southeast Asia.
The ICRC had made an appeal to which the Disasters Emergency Committee had given £6,000. HMG was not able to contribute at present.
In reply to a question from Mr. Goodhart, Mr. Heidler explained that the Vietnam Government policy was evidently to integrate all "returnees" of Vietnamese origin, to treat those of Khmer and Chinese origin as "refugees" and to try to settle them outside Vietnam. Those coming in were being accommodated in ten major and some smaller camps situated at some distance from the border.
The Vietnam Government was willing for some to stay in the country but UNHCR would try to resettle those who wished to leave.
Reference was made to a group from Cambodia which had been living in a Buddhist Temple. These had been helped by Richard White working for UNDP before 1975. He was now in Europe. It was agreed to ask him for a report and to attend the next meeting.
The YMCA still had contacts in Vietnam and was waiting permission to start rehabilitation. A report from the Japanese worker would be asked for.
Indo-Chinese Refugees in the United Kingdom
6.
a)
The Boat People
HMG had agreed to accept all "boat people" picked up by ships registered in Britain; also some from Hong Kong who had little prospect of being resettled elsewhere.
There had been a recent upsurge of arrivals. The trend had changed, fewer going to Thailand, more to Malaysia, some to Taiwan and Hong Kong.
The position in Hong Kong was very difficult. Recent figures showed 2500 waiting for resettlement and about 1000 more had landed since. Because of its Government's liberal attitudes there was danger of Hong Kong being penalised preferential treatment being given e.g. by USA to boat people waiting in other countries. Recently a US vessel had landed 400 in Hong Kong. HMG had asked for more UNHCR help in Hong Kong. It was hoped that Macao would be able to accept some temporarily; 300 were already there.
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There was discussion on the reasons for the general exodus. These were evidently various:-
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