RESTRICTED
4.
AS FAR AS RESETTLEMENT OF THE REFUGEES IS CONCERNED, PLEDGES FOR RESETTLING 38 000 PERSONS OUT OF THE TOTAL OF SOME 200 000 HAD BEEN RECEIVED BY 15 JANUARY 1979. OUT OF THIS AMOUNT, EEC MEMBER STATES HAVE OFFERED TO RESETTLE 16 820 PERSONS. SINCE IT DOES NOT SEEM PROBABLE THAT ONE CAN FORESEE ANY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN RESETTLEMENT OFFERS BY MEMBER STATES, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT FURTHER EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO ALLEVIATE THE GREAT BURDEN IMPOSED ON THAILAND AND MALAYSIA, THE TWO MAIN ARRIVAL COUNTRIES.
5.
THE COMMISSION IS EXAMINING THE POSSIBILITIES FOR
SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY THE COMMUNITY, AND WILL INFORM COREPER OF ITS CONCLUSIONS. THE COMMISSION WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY INFORMATION OR COMMENTS WHICH MEMBER STATES MAY WISH TO OFFER.
ENDS
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FCO
BLACKLEY
CAB
BIRCH
MAITLAND
FRAME DEVELOPMENT
EID (E)
UND
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FED
SIR A PARSONS MR CORTAZZI
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RESTRICTED
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MR BIRCH CABINET OFFICE