2
What plans do UNHCR have to deal with the resettlement of these individuals? It should be remembered that UNHCR's assurances, when the refugees arrived, were that they would use their best endeavours to ensure their resettlement overseas. It is no comfort for Hong Kong to be told now that Cambodians and Laotians have priority.
7. The recent changes in the intentions of the major resettle- ment countries and the public emergence of the concept of "humane deterrence" requires a much more detailed discussion than is possible today.
8.
Capitals may wish to reflect on the new picture before giving their views. The UK Delegation believes that it would be appropriate if we discussed these views on the changing situation in SE Asia at a subsequent meeting.
9.
There
Such a meeting would need to be carefully prepared. should be sufficient time to ensure active participation from capitals to discuss the policy implications of what we have heard
today.
10. Two further comments:
On Rescue at Sea the UK sees no benefit in changing current procedures other than the smoothing of the practice in first asylum countries of allowing a longer period to pursue resettle- ment opportunities and of arranging ad hoc resettlement in Flag States. This is another subject on which we would wish to make substantive comment at a larger meeting.
On the ODP the UK has not yet noticed any significant improve- ment in the Vietnamese handling of family reunion cases since last October's meeting with the Vietnamese Delegation in Geneva. The UK is not able therefore at this stage to share the optimism which has been expressed about this programme.