- 12
5.
Administration Actions:
o In addition to the $12.9 million provided to the UNHCR for care and maintenance in Southeast Asian first asylum countries in FY 1986, an additional $5.1 million has been provided to UNHCR through reprogramming.
Consideration should be given to developing
self-sufficiency programs supported by international funding for highland Lao who cannot return to Laos and who do not seek third country resettlement.
Administration Actions:
o The Administration agrees in principle that
self-sufficiency programs should be pursued, recognizing that the implementation of such programs must be coordinated properly with other durable solutions, and appropriately timed.
6. The UNHCR should be encouraged to expand the voluntary repatriation program to Laos with the cooperation of the Lao government. Increased information about conditions in Laos should be communicated to those in first asylum camps, and more concentrated efforts should be made to follow up on returnees.
Administration Actions:
The United States provided $225,000 to the UNHCR program in FY 1986, and has encouraged the expansion of the program.
o Efforts will be made in the future to coordinate with UNHCR to avoid undermining repatriation efforts by expanding resettlement processing.
The United States should continue efforts to obtain Lao government cooperation for legal departures from Laos. Lao in America should be encouraged to file the necessary petitions for their family members.
Administration Actions:
o Some Lao have been permitted to leave on immigrant visas, but the number remains very small.
o U.S. officials continue to provide information on U.S. immigration policies to the Lao government and encourage the issuance of exit permits.