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the "Kampucheans" by the invading troops. China expressed strong indignation and declared that, as the raid took place the day after the Vietnamese had announced a partial troop withdrawal from "Kampuchea", this announcement was shown to be a hypocrisy.
5.
At the same time, the Thai Mission here has circulated, through the Centre for Human Rights, a self-explanatory note to all members of the Commission on Human Rights. I enclose a copy.
6.
A copy of the UK statement on the agenda items that covered refugees in South-East Asia is attached. In answer to our query about the Laotian refugees, UNHCR said that 235 had returned to Laos in 1985 and 59 so far in 1986 under the voluntary repatriation programme. The returnees were given kits in Laos of clothes, tools and implements: the UNHCR office in Laos was satisfied that the return took place in good conditions.
COMMENT
7.
This
Although the Thais included the new screening programme as part of the voluntary repatriation programme in their statement, UNHCR officials in private conversation with me have made it quite clear that UNHCR regard the two programmes as quite separate. is because the persons returning to Laos under the voluntary repatriation programme are refugees and UNHCR's responsibility. "screened out" persons, by nature of their being screened out, are not technically refugees or, strictly speaking, UNHCR's responsibility.
8.
UNHCR and other delegates use the term "Kampuchea": I have used this term when referring to their statements and have used "Cambodia" in all other instances as per DSP Vol 1.
Footnote on the Thai/Cambodian Border Incident
9.
I would like to add that we agree, insofar as UNHCR is concerned, with the assessment in Bangkok's telegram number 325 in reply to your teleletter of 9 June and have no further comments to add.
The
Subsequent Discussions on Laotian returnees and screening programme
10.
I have since followed up your queries with Mr Mouchet, the UNHCR Desk Officer for South-East Asia. He tells me that UNHCR visit returnees in Laos "regularly" (about every three of four months depending on the programme of UNHCR's local office). Since 1980 UNHCR have visited 90% of the refugees who have returned to Laos under the voluntary repatriation programme.
11.
UNHCR are satisfied that the returnees are well received and reintegrated in their village of origin in Laos and that there is no discrimination on the part of the Laotian government. Mr Mouchet think the best proof of this is that very few of the returnees have gone back to Thailand. Indeed, since 1975 the Laotian government has, according to Mr Mouchet, stated that all "misled" persons (ie refugees)
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