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simultaneously visiting Vientiane to discuss with the Lao government both the voluntary- repatriation schemes, and the repatriation of those Laotians considered ineligible for refugee status in Thailand following a "screening" programme run jointly by the Thai government and UNHCR. In all there are some 1500 of these "non-refugees" in Thailand awaiting return to Laos. As the Ambassador has already reported, Hocké was encouraged by these discussions. The Lao government had reconfirmed their position on voluntary repatriation although indicating that con- tinued assistance was needed to reintegrate those repatriated. On the "non-refugees", UNHCR have told us that these discussions with the Lao government gave rise to very cautious optimism, with indeed some initial discussion on the modalities of dealing with this issue having taken place. Improvements in relations between the voluntary agencies and Lao government coincide with current improvements in Thai/Lao relations. Siddhi also hosted a dinner for Hocké at which he praised UNHCR for its support and work with Indochinese refugees.
5.
The meeting with Supreme Command covered much the same ground as with Prachuab and was again little more than a courtesy call.
Comment
6.
The UNHCR office here have felt that the visit generally went well and achieved its overall objective of introducing Mr Hocké to the operation here, but that there were no startling new developments. They were pleased with Thai reaction to, and treatment of Mr Hocké but feel the Thais saw the visit as an opportunity to remind the international community of their predicament. UNHCR were puzzled by the difference between the Foreign Ministry and Prasong over Khao I Dang. This was especially noticeable given that Prasong had indi- cated a low-key handling of his agreement to another meeting in November, but that the MFA had adopted a more hardline attitude when talking to the press.
7.
You will have seen the Ambassador's comments on his talks over lunch with Hocké about Vietnamese refugees, and our concerns over Hong Kong (our telno 467). UNHCR here have told me that the concerns the Ambassador raised were reinforced during a meeting with ASEAN Ambassadors that afternoon. They had gone on to call on Hocke to convene another meeting with the Vietnamese along the lines of that held on the ODP in 1979. Hocké had countered that it was not for him to initiate this, but that UNHCR could respond to a consensus amongst interested governments (including resettlement countries) for such a move. More generally, it appears that in meetings with Thai officials UNHCR had sought to raise the question of Vietnamese ref- ugees. UNHCR see problems looming in resettling these refugees in the same numbers as before. Previously this side of the refugee problem had run smoothly with a negligible incidence of "long stayers", but it looks as though the Americans' criteria for accepting Vietnamese refugees is likely to mean that we are entering a period where a large number of those currently awaiting resettlement - perhaps as many as 2500 of the 6000 plus in Thailand - will not be eligible for consideration by the US. Other major resettlement countries are unwilling to review these cases for fear of attracting more refugees
(the "pull factor"). While the Thais do not as yet really appreciate
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