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veto. Western members of the Council and ASEAN countries will
need to concert about the next steps, which were summarised by Dr Waldheim in a four point plan of action:-
5.
(1) To reduce the backlog, both of boat and land people:
(2)
(3)
(4)
To expand the UNHCR/Vietnamese understanding of
orderly departure, but not at the expense of those already in camps:
The idea of holding centres should be built on:
Rescue at sea was important and the UN would seek to
co-ordinate the activities of special rescue ships.
The Geneva Conference has evoked a pledge of resettlement
places totalling 260 thousand - double what was available two
months ago. The Philippines have offered a transit centre for 50 thousand refugees which should ease the position on Hong Kong. The funds at the disposal of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees were increased by US$190 million. Vietnam's responsibility for
the refugee exodus has been fully exposed and she has lost the sympathy that she once enjoyed.
6. I am copying this minute to the other members of OD and to
Sir John Hunt.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
24 July 1979
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(CARRINGTON)
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