CHOLAS HINTON: Well, there are no absolute guarantees, but I think tha
there is axg an agreement is important. When the new policy was annound
for the Vietnamese refugees in June, there wasn't a policy, there wasn't
a repatriation agreement, and Save The Children Fund and others were ri
critical, saying that there isn't a complete agreement without one, so
✓ it's a step in the right direction. The involvement of the United Nation
High Commissioner for Refugees in this is also an important factor, and
I think one of the things we can be pleased about is that they are going
to be involved. That will provide, I think, a guarantee for the refugees
that they will be treated reasonably well. What we want is a relation- ship with Vietnam that prevents people wishing to leave Vietnam in the KathrynxDaxxxx first place, and makes life tolerable for those going ba having taken the very difficult decision to leave Vietnam in the first
place.
Kathryn Davies: Now, if you are talking about economic assistance, what
form would that assistance take?
NICHOLAS HINTON: Well, if we are talking about economic assistance, I think we are talking about multi-lateral and bilateral, government to
government assistance.
Kathryn Davies: Of course, there are political problems associated with giving aid to Vietnam. Do you see the reduction of Vietnam's military presence in Kampuchea as a hopeful sign that these may be resolved?
NICHOLAS HINTON: XXX Yes. I must say it has been a puzzle to me and to others as to why the British government and others has created this very strong link between the Vietnamese presence in Kampuchea and Western go ernmnet's willingness to aid Vietnam. Nevertheless, they have, so to
that extent it's real.