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5. FOR THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, WE HAVE RECEIVED 421 REFUGEES COMPARED TO 36 DURING THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1977. THE PEAK PERIOD FOR THE ARRIVAL OF REFUGEES EACH YEAR FROM PAST EXPERIENCE IS FROM JUNE TO OCTOBER. THIS IS LIKELY TO REPEAT ITSELF THIS YEAR AND THE RECENT ARRIVAL OF 317 REFUGEES IN NINE DAYS IS INDICATIVE OF THE INCREASED RATE. THE SITUATION IS THEREFORE LIKELY TO GET WORSE RATHER THAN BETTER OVER THE NEXT
FEW MONTHS.
6. WE ARE PRESSING ICEM TO ACCOMMODATE THE 95 LATEST ARRIVALS. SAMPATKUMAR, THE UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE FOR EASTERN SOUTH ASIA,
WILL ARRIVE HERE ON A VISIT TOMORROW. WE INTEND TO PRESS HIM TO MAKE ADDITIONAL FUNDS AVAILABLE TO ICEM AS A MEANS OF SOLVING THE ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM. IF YOU AGREE, WE SHOULD LIKE OUR APPROACH TO BE REINFORCED BY UKMIS GENEVA SPEAKING DIRECT TO UNHCR HEADQUARTERS ON THE LINES OF THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPHS, ADDING THAT, UNLESS UNHCR CAN MAKE ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOOKING AFTER AND PROCESSING VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, WE WILL FIND IT VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN CUR PRESENT LIBERAL POLICY.
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7. WE SHALL ALSO INFORM THE U.S CONSULATE GENERAL HERE OF THE SITUATION AND ASK FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN HASTENING THE RESETTLEMENT PROCESSES. WE CANNOT, HOWEVER, EXPECT THIS TO HAVE MORE THAN A MARGINAL EFFECT ON THE PROBLEM.
8. WE SHALL KEEP YOU INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS.
VIENTIANE PLEASE PASS COPYBY BAG TO HANO1.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
SEAD
HK JG D
UND
MR
CORTAZZ!
MR HURRAY
MIL WEIR.
MVD
NEWS D
NAMD
PS
P.S/MR LUARD
PS/LORD GORENNY ROBERTS.
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