Stephen Nash Esq
SEAD
FCO
Paralla Cette Ra261) B.VRs general
HKK 243/3
RECE Dea Stipher 2 1 AUG 1986
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Lou tome 2018.
Lupin: Me Trevan UND)
Mr. Leeks HKD Mr.hecks
Mr. Wyeth ODA
CCSDPT ANNUAL-CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES
C VW Pasta (14)
British Embassy
BANGKOK
14 July 1986
Warth
as well as
reading fasong JUNHUR (144 1/2)
speeches, I listed by do Nash below. If you
howe
Mr. Cont
time
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Ck z√77
Americans, Carations and Antalians extelling the virtues of repatriation & Indo-China.
hi
25/7
1. David Wyatt and I attended the CCSDPT meeting on 11 July. Most attention at the meeting focussed on Prasong Soonsiri's, Secretary-General of the National Security Council, comments. I have written separately to Michael Roberts about Prásong's comments on Amnesty International and the allegations of torture of Khmer refugees at Khao I Dang. More generally Prasong spoke on the Khao I Dang "longstayer" refugees, and publicly stated that the camp would be closed completely after re- setttlement countries finish their current round of interviews, and indicated that the more than 1000 Laotian illegal immigrants ("screened out" on arrival in Thailand as not meeting the criteria to be considered as refugees) would be forcibly re- patriated if the Lao government did not honour their agreement with the UNHCR to take them back. In restating RTG policy toward refugees, Prasong specifically addressed the question of local integration saying his government had no policy for doing this.
2.
The main themes emerging from the Conference were: the continuing nature of the problems refugees/displaced persons were still entering Thailand in substantial numbers: the increased number of "refugees" who were leaving Indo-China countries for economic motives rather than political persecution, and the need for this problem to be addressed (with resettlement for those for whom no other durable solution could be found). While both Kunugi (UN Special Representative) and Kim (UNBRO) spoke along standard lines, the UNHCR Representative (Walzer) picked up the theme that the "finite number of resettlement places is used for those refugees for whom this is the most appropriate option". He highlighted the need for screening, and sought to remind the Conference that the long-term solution to the problem remained dependent on a resolution of the political situation.
3. The Embassy spokesman for the major resettlement countries also referred to the need to identify only those who merited resettlement, with a need to reject economic migrants, and look at all other durable, humane solutions ahead of resettlement. The Canadians again referred to the possibility that resettlement was an attraction in itself. They referred to the increasing numbers they encountered who had left Indo-Chinese countries, not for reasons of real or anticipated persecution, but for other reasons including economic ones. The Americans followed up much of what the Canadians had said, specifically that many fleeing Indo-China were doing so for reasons other than to avoid political or other persecution. They sought an ex- pansion of the ODP, supported voluntary repatriation and screening programmes, and spoke firmly in support of all three forms of durable solutions being implemented. They (pointedly) urged their "European and other friends to respond generously" to UNHCR's call for provision of homes for those refugees in the most compelling need of resettlement.
4.
Of the other speakers, Khun Virachai of the Ministry of the Interior commented on the value of humane deterrence in discouraging Indo-Chinese refugees. He detailed some substantial changes in work practices among the MOI/UNHCR administered camps, the most far-reaching of which was the requirement that all refugees working for voluntary agences (Volags) should be volunteers who receive no pay. If the refugees were not prepared to help the Volags help them, the Thais would "encourage" them to do so - by with-holding help, privileges etc. Virichai referred to 1986 as being the year of resettlement, and exhorted resettlement countries to take more
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/refugees.