CODE 18-
NOTE FOR THE FILE
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference...
UN 243/4
cc: M T Trevan Esq, UND, FCO R V Court Esq, SEAD, FCO C Leeks Esq, HKD, FCO Chanceries: Hanoi
Bangkok Washington
ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME (ODP)
MEETING WITH VIETNAMESE DELEGATION UNDER UNHCR AUSPICES: 3 NOVEMBER 1986
1.
UKMis Geneva telno 585 gives the summary of the discussion at the meeting held with receiving countries and the Vietnamese delegation in Geneva on 3 November, under UNHCR auspices. This note gives additional information.
2.
Copies of the US and UK statements at the meeting have already been forwarded.
Swedish Programme
3.
The Swedish ODP had had about 250 departures a year until 1985. Sweden had wanted to see a gradual increase, but the past two years had shown a decline. Preferential treatment was not being given to specific humanitarian cases. Two years ago Vietnam had told Sweden that all remaining cases would be settled by the end of 1985, but in November 1986 there were still more than 600 Vietnamese waiting for exit permits to enable them to join their families in Sweden.
4.
Sweden appealed to the Vietnamese Government to improve the rates of departure to Sweden.
Japanese ODP
5. Japan stated that the ODP had made a significant contribution in steming the illegal outflow from Vietnam.
6. To date about 32% of the outstanding cases under the Japanese ODP had been able to leave Vietnam for Japan. Japan hoped this percentage would increase shortly and that the time taken to process cases which had often been more than four years would be shortened.
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7. Japan had contributed USS 1.4 million to the ODP since 1979 and would be announcing further contributions before the end of 1986.
CONFIDENTIAL
/Danish