EO 12065: NA
TAGS: SREF
SUBJ: ASEAN HOLDING CENTER FOR INDOCHINESE REFUGEES
REF: (A) GENEVA 1255; (B) PARIS' 505 1: (C) TOKYO 2648; (D) KUALA
LUMPUR 322?; (E) STATE 35944; (F) BANGKOK 5799
1. AMBASSADOR SHOULD DRAW ON THE FOLLOWING IN RESPONDING TO THE UNHCR INFORMAL WORKING PAPER ON SPECIAL PROCESSING CENTER FOR INDOCHINESE REFUGEES, INFO ADDRESSEES MAY ALSO DRAW ON SUBSTANCE IN DISCUSSIONS OF SUBJECT WITH HOST GOVERNMENTS.
2. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S PAPER IS A THOROUGH AND THOUGHT FUL DOCUMENT WHICH SUGGESTS TO US THAT HE IS SERIOUSLY ATTEMPTING TO FIND A WAY TO DEVELOP THIS CONCEPT IN A WORKABLE FASHION. WE THINK IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO PROCEED WITH THIS DISCUSSION EXPEDITIOUSLY SINCE INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MOCHTAR HAS ANNOUNCED THAT INDONESIA AND THE PHILIPPINES ARE PREPARED TO OFFER ISLANDS FOR THIS PURPOSE (REF F). THE CLOSING POINT OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S PAPER UNDERLINES THE FUNDAMENTAL IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLE OF FIRST ASYLUM. THE PAPER FURTHER UNDERLINES THE IMPORTANCE IN THIS RESPECT OF SUPPORTING THE PRINCIPLE WITH ADEQUATE AND EXPANDING PERMANENT RESETTLEMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE REFUGEES.
3. WE DO NOT SEE AN ISLAND CENTER AS A REPLACEMENT FOR ADEQUATE FIRST ASYLUM. ON THE CONTRARY, WE SEE IT AS EASING THE PRESSURE ON FIRST ASYLUM COUNTRIES AND MAKING IT EASIER FOR THEM TO CONTINUE A GENEROUS FIRST ASYLUM POLICY. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT WE CONSIDER IT ESSENTIAL THAT THE HIGH COMMISSIONER AND THE NATIONS OF RESETTLEMENT RESPOND IN AS PROMPT AND FORTHCOMING A
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