SUBJECT:
ARGENTINA ANNOUNCES INTENTION OF RECEIVING 300
REFUGEE FAMILIES FROM SOUT HEAST ASIA
1. ARGENTINE EMBASSY ADVISED DEPARTMENT VIA DIPLOMATIC NOTE DATED JUNE 22 THAT THE GOA HAD OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED TO THE UNSYG ITS DECISION TO RECEIVE 300 REFUGEE
FAM IL IES FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA. NOTE ALSO ADVISED THAT GOA WILL DOUBWE ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE UN HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES IN 1980. GOA NOTED THAT IT HAD REACHED THIS DECISION IN ORDER TO HELP SOLVE, TOGETHER WITH OT HER NATIONS, THE "SERIOUS AND SORROWFUL SITUATION OF THE REFUGEES OF THAT REGION".
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2. EMBASSY SOURCES IN WASHINGTON HAVE ADVISED US THAT ADDITIONAL QUOTA OF 300 FAMILIES WILL BE OVER AND ABOVE THE
100 THAT THE GOA PLEDGED TO RECEIVE DURING 1978.
3.
YOU MAY TAKE AN APPROPRIATE OCCASION TO EXPRESS TO YOUR ARGENTINE COUNTERPARTS THE APPRECIATION OF THE USG FOR THIS HUMAN IT AR IAN GESTURE. YOU MAY NOTE THAT WHILE THE PROBLEMS OF REFUGEES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA IS REACHING CRITICAL PRO- PORTIONS, -THE EFFORTS OF COUNTRIES LIKE ARGENTINA TO
OFFER TO ABSORB REFUGEES COMMENSURATEWITH THE IR ABILITY WILL CERTAINLY ALLEVIATE THE SUFFERING OF SOME AMONG THE MANY UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE WHO HAVE FELT OBLIGED TO LEAVE THE IR HOMELAND. CHRIST OP HER
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