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second round of talks with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SKV) in London. In August, a high level Malaysian delegation visted Hanoi where fruitful negotiations took place. UNHCR, for its part, has held three rounds of talks
While the with SRV delegations in May, July and September of this year. progress achieved from these contacts is encouraging, much more remains to be accomplished,
4.
The Bangkok consultations of 27-28 October represent the broadest It is envisaged that this spectrum of participants in almost a decade. gathering will be the first in a series of meetings to tackle outstanding problems and to carry out the indispensable ground work for the "Prepcon" and the International Conference. In sponsoring this and similar future informal meetings, UNHCR hopes to continue to play its catalytic role in the promotion of a new international consensus. In playing this role, the Office remains fully aware that the complexity of the problems necessitates agreement on a
This "package" of measures requiring an input and adherence by all concerned. role also extends to ensuring that, in this process, the fundamental humanitarian norms and principles enshrined in UNHCR's mandate are safeguarded.
ΙΙ.
5.
Preservation of First Asylum
The preservation of first asylum in South-East Asia is the cornerstone on which all international efforts to resolve the Indochinese refugee problem must be based and is the fundamental initial step necessary to ensure the protection of asylum-seekers. As an integral part of international solidarity and co-operation in responding to the exodus from Vietnam, it has enabled the identification of durable solutions for those admitted on a temporary basis in the region. Generous first asylum policies in South-East Asia since 1975 have allowed the international community to resettle over 1,250,000 refugees to date. They have also afforded the possibility of a variety of other solutions
They are equally an for thousands of other refugees and asylum-seekers.
important component of successful rescue-at-sea schemes and the anti-piracy programme, which over the past years have saved the lives of many thousands of refugees.
6.
Through the recognition of the right of individuals to seek and enjoy asylum, the international community has supported the most fundamental principle of international refugee protection, viz, the principle of non-refoulement, which stipulates that a refugee shall not be returned to a