CONFIDENTIAL
7428
TO INCREASE RESETTLEMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
(II)WE SHOULD INSTRUCT THE EMBASSY IN HANOI TO TALK
NON-COMMITTALLY TO THE VIETNAMESE ABOUT THEIR ATTITUDE TO A
POSSIBLE PROGRAMME OF INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION.
WE SHOULD
NEED TO TRY TO CLEAR OUR LINES WITH THE UNHCR. (I THINK
HOWEVER THAT WE ALL RECOGNISE THAT IN THE SHORT TO MEDIUM
TERM IT IS UNLIKELY THAT WE SHALL MAKE MUCH PROGRESS ALONG
THIS ROAD BECAUSE OF VIETNAMESE INTRANSIGENCE).
(III)WE SHOULD EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPROVING TRAINING
FACILITIES FURTHER IN THE CAMPS (IDEALLY AT UNHCR EXPENSE)
BOTH SO AS TO MAKE REFUGEES MORE RESETTLABLE AND TO HELP
STAVE OFF UNHELPFUL CRITICISM OF THE CLOSED CAMP POLICY.
5. MR LUCE INTENDS TO VISIT GENEVA IN MARCH AND WILL SEE UNHCR
IF WE CAN MOVE AHEAD FAR ENOUGH THIS WOULD ENABLE HIM TO SOUND
UNHCR ON THEIR VIEWS ON ANY BILATERAL APPROACH BY US TO THE
VIETNAMESE.
6. I AM NOT GIVING THIS TELEGRAM DISTRIBUTION HERE. IF YOU REPLY
TO IT GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD DO SO PERSONAL TO ME.
HOWE
2
CONFIDENTIAL
-
1