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o U.S. officials in Bangkok, as well as those of other nations, have emphasized to the RTG that if Khao-I-Dang is to be closed, it should be done only after resettlement countries have been given adequate opportunity to complete their processing, and that international principles of protection should continue to apply to this population.
o The Thai have assured us that when Khao-I-Dang is closed, it will be done in a safe and humane manner.
Because of their special vulnerability and the lack of alternative solutions, the land Vietnamese on the border, including those without ties to the United States, should be processed as rapidly as possible for resettlement as refugees. Efforts should be made to encourage other governments to join in resettling the land Vietnamese through a UNHCR program in which many countries agree to admit at least small numbers.
Administration Actions:
o U.S. processing of land Vietnamese in priorities 1-6 has been authorized. Processing of those in priority 6 who fall within one of the INS categories has been delayed pending relocation of the land Vietnamese.
o In 1986, the United States has approved 1400 land Vietnamese for resettlement, all of whom have been moved to refugee processing centers in Southeast Asia or to the United States.
The Royal Thai Government should be urged to maintain a site for land Vietnamese that is safe from Vietnamese military attacks, as well as from other surrounding populations.
Administration Actions:
o In response to international concern, land Vietnamese were relocated in December to an expanded location within Site 2. This area was more isolated from the Khmer residents and much less crowded.
o The United States has continued to press for early movement of the land Vietnamese from Site Two to Phanat Nikkom.
o RTG officials have indicated recently that land Vietnamese would be moved to Site Three, an evacuation site several miles further removed from the border, should an emergency develop.