In a related vein, we urge that the High Commissioner Esist and increase efforts to establish voluntary'
repatriation programs for Kampuchea and Vietnam. While
initial numbers of individuals electing to return
voluntarily may be small, the numbers might grow over time.
We are all aware that resettlement is for many refugees:
not the ideal, or even the best available outcome.
Voluntary repatriation is an alternative for such
individuals A modest but promising program is underway
in Laos, and we judge that efforts to enlarge it are
important.
That program might provide a model for
programs in Kampuchea and Vietnam.
While it has always been clear that all other solutions
should precede resettlement, it also
it also remains evident that
in the near-term even as the scope of the problem
diminishes
resettlement remains the fundamental means
of preserving first asylum for Indochinese
The United
States is willing to continue to play a significant role
in resettlement, but only in the context of continuing
resettlement efforts by the rest of the international
community To put it directly, we are only able to muster
the requisite congressional and public support for resettle-
ment if other countries are seen to be doing their fair
share. The present situation in which 2 out of 3 Indochinese
being resettled are being absorbed by the United States is
clearly not an acceptable apportionment of the burden.