to the above might be that at the discretion of those concerned in a rescue, the refugees could be disembarked at such a centre).
Search and Rescue
24.
Participants could agree to welcome proposals by nations in a position to do so to mount search and rescue operations and to accept responsibility for resettlement of those rescued without relying on asylum at another port of call outside their own state [except, if appropriate, at an international processing centre].
IV
POTENTIAL FOR SUPPORT
25. The following maritime nations, apart from members of the consultative group, are known to have given commitments to accept for resettlement any refugees picked up by their flag vessels when such refugees are not accepted by other countries:
Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Federal Republic of
Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
The degree of commitment varies in each case and in some cases (eg Greece and Denmark) no public commitment has been given. But the countries on this list might be expected to give some measure of support for the proposals outlined above. If more of these countries could be persuaded to make a public commitment, this might persuade other major maritime nations to follow suit.
26.
The likely reaction of the coastal states in the area where refugees are likely to be picked up is more difficult to predict. Some, eg China and Taiwan, are unlikely to commit themselves to the first port of call principle. But if the major maritime nations were prepared to accept the principle of resettlement as a last resort in the state of registry or beneficial ownership some countries such as Singapore might be persuaded to relax their current attitude to the principle of first port of call as a temporary asylum.