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19.
There are
signs (linked with the developments
resettlement
for
described in para 10 above) that the main
countries are becoming more interested in finding alternatives to continuing third country resettlement Vietnamese emigrants. Places of first asylum have long been impatient at the burdens placed upon them both by the continuing flow from Vietnam and by the increasing reluctance of third countries to resettle those waiting in the transit camps. We think that governments might well be receptive to the suggestion that we should now explore
together, in cooperation with UNHCR, to what extent those now leaving should be considered economic migrants rather
than refugees, and what possible alternative solutions can
be identified for them.
20.
If it proved possible to establish agreed criteria to distinguish between a refugee and an economic migrant the second phase of discussion would involve identifying options for action.
The logical approach would be to
explore international arrangements under which genuine refugees would as now be resettled outside Vietnam, while
those who had left because of economic deprivation rather
than political persecution (the great majority) were
returned to Vietnam. Such action could be taken only if a
collective approach to Vietnam by the governments involved,
endorsed or even represented by the UNHCR, had first
secured agreement from the Vietnamese authorities
economic migrants would not
treatement on their return. It
see
that we
little prospect foreseeable circumstances.
21.
that
be subjected to harsh
must be admitted however
of this in present or
The
The discussions which we would undertake with the
UNHCR and national governments are unlikely to produce
results in the short or even the medium term.
difficulties of reaching a consensus
matter should not be underestimated.
about involuntary repatriation to Vietnamese authorities provided the
on this sensitive
Many will have doubts
Vietnam, even if the
necessary assurances:
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