- 5 -
Conclusion on RASRO
29. Although RASRO has yet to complete its trial year, it seems on balance to be a success. UNHCR therefore recommends that the scheme continue for a second year.
To make this possible, it will be necessary for governments to "top up" their quotas by providing a 1986-87 quota equal to the number of places used during the trial year. To allow time for receipt of pledges, the "number of places used" will be considered only until the end of March 1986; these will be communicated in the letter accompanying this Report. (For the information of governments, a chart showing the status of all RASRO submissions is attached as Annex 8.)
B. DISERO
30.
A simple look at the figures for DISERO disembarkations (Annex 4) shows a very stable situation in terms of refugees rescued : 407 in 1984, 408 in 1985. In terms of disembarkations, however, 1985 shows a tremendous increase : 7 in 1984, 17 in 1985. (1985 DISERO disembarkations are set out in Annex 9).
31.
Only 7 of the 17 DISERO disembarkations in 1985 involved the "traditional" convenience flags of Panama and Liberia. 4 ships flying Panamanian flags rescued 124 refugees; 3 Liberian flag ships rescued 75 refugees. of the remaining ships, half were Southeast Asian vessels and half flew the flags of the Bahamas, Pakistan, Poland, Cyprus and St. Vincent Island.
32. The reduction in refugee boat size noted for RASRO rescues, was even more marked where disembarkation took place under DISERO. The average number of refugees per rescue in 1984 was 58. This figure had reduced in 1985 to 24. To adjust figures (as in paras. 7 and 9) to allow for a changing situation : had refugee boat size remained the same in 1985 as it had been in 1984, a total of 986 refugees would have been rescued in 1985, i.e. more than twice the number rescued in 1984.
33.
If figures are further adjusted to allow for the 10% decrease in refugee arrivals (as in paras. 8 and 9), the adjusted total of refugees rescued would be 1,085.
34.
The reason for the increase in rescue activity among DISERO vessels is unlikely to be found in the DISERO scheme, which has remained unchanged since its introduction in 1979. It is more likely to be found in the changing pattern of shipping in Southeast Asia (considered below, Section V) and in the Reimbursement Scheme (see Section VI).
35. The very large increase in the number of DISERO disembarkations has involved UNHCR, particularly the Singapore Office, in a number of problems, chief among which is acquiring the rapid provision of the resettlement guarantees necessary for disembarkation. Of the eight countries participating in the scheme, only two have delegated authority to their Ambassadors in Singapore to provide the guarantee. Other countries require a decision to be taken in the capital and some even expect full bio-data to be sent to the capital before a decision is taken. These procedures are totally out of step with the fact that ships can often give only one or two days notice of arrival. On several occasions, UNHCR has needed to request the United States to provide an interim guarantee to prevent delays to shipping.