Frens finlease $3/3/372
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The response during cur meeting has been significant. A remarkable spirit of co-operation has marked cur deliberations. any countries have put forward concrete and imaginative proposals. Generous offers of contribution in places of resettlement, in furis, and availabilities for holding centers nave been made.
In my judgement, these developments have brought major strides in our efforts to cope with the problem. Indeed, such progress has been required because of the magnitude of suffering in Indo-China and because of the traumatic conditions in which the exodus is taking place. The consequences of this massive movement. populations involve not only Indo-China alone, but much of Asia and indeed many countries around the world.
Our purpose at this meeting has been to try to reverse the course of this tragedy, and I believe we are now well on our way to doing so. The most tangible and immediate result of this meeting has been the commitments in regard to resettlement places and financial contributions, which the High Commissioner has just summarized. This will mean, in practical terms, that within the next months tens of thousands of refugees will move away from the present camps to begin new lives. But the scope of the problem is much larger. To resolve it will require humane policies by all concerned, respect for certain fundamental principles, and the carrying out of a plan of action which would be based on the various proposals advanced through our deliberations.
The principles to which I refer involve an inter-relationship of obligations and responsibilities on the part of the countries of origin, those of final resettlement, and those of first asylum. The countries of crigin must respect the right of emigration and family reunification, while avoiding any action leading to their people departing the country under conditions which would put their lives in jeopardy. This obligation stems from the basic right of individuals to stay in their cotry or to leave as a matter of free will. The countries from which refugees come, have the responsibility to co-operate fully with the UNHCR and the other countries concerned to ensure an orderly outflow. What we mean by this is orderly arrangements for departure, the prospect of a safe journey and a destination which is assured.
Taking into account the fact that the countries of first asylum are developing countries confronted with economic and social constraints it is clear that others outside the area must assume the principle responsibility for resettling.
However, pending arrangements for resettling, it is essential that the countries of initial arrival should fully respect the principle of first asylum, both for land and sea refugees. There should be no refoulement.
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