CODE 18 7}
Restricted
Reference
339
1r Stimson (UID, K152)
UNICK CONSULTATIONS ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES: 11-12 DECEMBLR 1978
1. Mr Yamada, First Secretary at the Japanese Embassy, called yesterday to discuss the forthcoming consultations. llis two main points were:
(a) Japanese ability to absorb significant groups of Vietnamese refugees was limited, but Japan would continue to offer financial assistance to the UNHCR to help countries cope with the influx:
(b)
a contribution of US $ 10 million had already been pledged, of which US $ 600,000 has been paid;
because of (a) Japan was likely to adopt a fairly low profile at the conference.
The
2. We discussed Japanese attitude to refugees landed there by merchant vessels. Mr Yamada said his Government were reviewing this matter to see whether a more liberal policy could be adopted. lle telephoned me today to say that the Japanese Cabinet had yesterday decided that Japan would, at least for the time being, not call for guarantees on behalf of refugees from third countries whose vessels had rescued refugees at sea.
7 December
HKK 243/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 11 DEC#78
DESK OFFICER
REC UTRY
P Morgan
United Nations Department 233 8631
INDEX
Cc: SEAD
IIK&GD
MVD
Chancery Tokyo
Chancery UKMis Geneva
Mr C Birt, lone Mize
Action T en