CONFIDENTIAL
19.
developments
resettlement
for
There are signs (linked with the
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
be identified for them.
ernative
can
an awful term.
абря
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 be subjected to
treatement on their return. It must be admitted however
that we see little prospect of this in present or
foreseeable circumstances.
that
harsh very
improbate
21.
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
on this sensitive
matter should not be underestimated. Many will have doubts
about involuntary repatriation to Vietnam, even if the
Vietnamese authorities provided the necessary assurances:
CONFIDENTIAL