2,600 Amerasian cases for departure but so far have not responded positively to our request that processing resume for these children nor provided us with any of their names.
The "Reeducation Camp" Prisoners
In September 1984, Secretary Shultz also announced to the Congress, on behalf of President Reagan, a special humanitarian initiative to bring 10,000 political prisoners presently and previ- ously confined in the so-called reeducation camps and their immediate families to the United States over a 2-year period. The presidential initia- tive-declaring these persons are, like the Amerasians, also of particular humanitarian concern to the United States-was presented during the same 1984 meeting with the Vietnamese in Geneva. Although the Vietnamese agreed to consider the new U.S. proposal, they have, since that time, rebuffed all of our diplomatic efforts to engage them in substantive negotia- tions to implement this humanitarian initiative.
Secretary Shultz reaffirmed this presidential initiative to the Congress in September 1985 on the occasion of the Administration's presentation of the FY 1986 U.S. refugee admissions program. This reaffirmation was repeated in October 1985 to the Vietnamese when we again met with them in Geneva at the annual UNHCR ODP consultations.
We are deeply disappointed at the Vietnamese refusal to agree to release these long-persecuted and suffering per- sons for resettlement-persons impris- oned under extremely harsh and cruel conditions because of their prior associa- tion with the United States.
There is growing bipartisan concern in the Congress over this continued Vietnamese suspension of the ODP and bipartisan support for our diplomatic efforts to persuade the Vietnamese to lift their suspension.
On May 21, Senators DeConcini and Murkowski introduced a resolution1 call- ing upon Vietnam:
1On June 5, Representative Bilirakis introduced the same resolution in the House of Representatives.
(1) to permit the immediate resumption of interviewing and processing of applicants in Vietnam...
(2) to permit the orderly departure of "reeducation camp" prisoners, Amerasian children, and other persons of special humanitarian concern to the United States.
In his remarks to the Senate in support of his resolution, Senator DeConcini said:
Regrettably, on January 1, 1986, the SRV [Socialist Republic of Vietnam] unilater- ally suspended UNHCR interviewing and processing of applicants in Ho Chi Minh City for departure to the United States. This reso- lution is intended to send a strong signal to the SRV that the suspension of the inter- viewing and processing of applicants is a mat- ter of grave humanitarian concern to the U.S. Government and the U.S. Congress. It is extremely important that the SRV know that the executive and legislative branches of our Government speak with a strong and united voice on this important issue.
Refugee Reception and Placement Finally, having begun with the subject of successful refugee reseftlement, let me conclude by identifying one more important challenge. Simply put, in a period of declining refugee arrivals, how do we sustain the achievement of the last decade in which we together-the private and public sectors in this country-succeeded in developing a truly national response in resettling more than 1 million refugees.
How do we preserve the capacity of this national refugee resettlement struc- ture to respond to some unforeseen, future emergency, where large-scale refugee admissions might again become a national imperative?
One essential element, I believe, is better planning of initial refugee place- ment. Presently, the State Department is engaged in a discussion with the national voluntary refugee resettlement agencies to improve our ability to evaluate successful placement programs. But we need to hear from the States and local communities as well. Are there still concerns in 1986 regarding impacted sites? If so, let us hear about them. On the other side, are there States which see themselves as offering good locations for continued or increased
numbers of refugees but where volun- tary agencies are reducing their place- ments of refugees? If so, let us hear about them. And finally, if there are sites where there is a need for initial resettlement services but no agency present to provide them-for an area which receives, for example, only small numbers of family reunion cases-let us hear about them, too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I recall what President Reagan said about the American refu- gee program in 1985;
Since World War II, the United States, time and again, has offered haven to those fleeing oppression and persecution- Hungarians, Cubans, Indochinese, and so many others. Our efforts to rescue refugees and provide them the opportunity to construct new lives have been richly rewarded by the loyalty and industry of these new citizens.
America is also the largest single provider of assistance to refugees in every region of the world. Our program of refugee resettlement exceeds that of the rest of the world combined. These are deeds in which I as President, and Americans everywhere, take great pride.
For those of you who have visited the Bureau for Refugee Programs, perhaps you recall that as you enter our office at the State Department, the first object you see on the wall is a striking silhouette of the Statue of Liberty- photographed in the dawn's early light. Etched in white on this magnificent pic- ture are those memorable, challenging words of Emma Lazarus about those "yearning to be free" and "Send them... to me, I lift my lamp beside the Golden Door."
When the Statue of Liberty's torch is relighted next month, may its light not only shine bright as a beacon for those who still yearn to be free, and who seek refuge in the safe harbor and haven that is America, but may it also inspire each of you-as you extend your helping hands and open the "Golden Doors" of your hearts and homes to those who continue to seek refuge in this good land-in the American heartland.
Bureau of Public Affairs United States Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520
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