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26 November 1979
Then pa UNS 243/45.
QMA
29111
UNHCR ORDERLY DEPARTURE SCHEME FROM VIETNAM
1. Further to my letter of 21 November, it is pahaps worth reporting some different impressions I received at lunch today from Bill Clarence (UNHCR's representative) who returns to Hanoi on Sunday. Clarence told me of his meeting with the Ambassador and very much agreed that it was in his interests not to see too much of him. He clearly shared his views on the pro-Vietnam stance of Johnsson (the Swedish predecessor) who has significantly, since resigned from UNHCR. So far the Vietnamese have been polite but diffident with him.
2. Clarence said that Johnsson's estimate of departures under the scheme was wildly optimistic. The most that could be managed when flights resume in December was 1000 a month. The main problem lay with the US who were showing no serious intention of accepting more than a trickle of the names submitted by Vietnam. To try to get them to focus on the scheme UNHCR have sent an emissary to Washington whilst Clarence is still in Geneva. In the meantime, Clarance will emphasise with the Vietnamese the need to pursue the European offers whilst the US is temporizing. believes that there are already signs that the Vietnamese are getting ready to close their eyes to a new, though smaller, wave of boat departures. For example, a useful barometer was the price of dollars on the black market which had gone up steeply.
Clarence
3. Clarence revealed a sharp division of opinion within UNHCR over the scheme. Volfing, the Diretor of External Affairs, effectively the Number Two, led those who were opposed to De Haan's scheme, which Clarence had been identified with from the start. Clarence saw the bussle over his appointment, which he claims De Haan was able to secure only because of timely representations made by this Mission, a partly due to
un divided opinion over the scheme, though of course Hanoi's change of heart was crucial.
cc3: Mrs C Anderson UND FCO
I C Orr Esq HONG KONG Chancery, HANOI
CONI
DR Snoxell