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We recognise that conditions do not yet exist for the
return to Vietnam of those screened-out. UNHCR and others
represented here have had discussions with the Vietnamese
Government on this question. We have raised the question
with the Vietnamese at senior levels in London, Hanoi,
New York and here in Geneva. Others raised it with the
Vietnamese during the May ODP talks in Geneva. The problems
in Hong Kong are reflected elsewhere in the region and are
a cause of increasing concern. We have urged ASEAN countries
to press the Vietnamese on this. We should not be discouraged
by initial Vietnamese reactions.
We need to press the point
vigorously with the Vietnamese. We expect UNHCR and others to
do likewise with the authorities in Hanoi. The British
Government will play an active and constructive role in this.
The new policy in Hong Kong provides another element in
the search for solutions to the problems of the Vietnamese boat-
people in the region. We hope that the members of this
Executive Committee will join us in our strong support of
UNHCR's efforts to discuss the issue of return with the
Vietnamese. We believe that it is important to maintain such
pressure on Vietnam.
Finally, I would like to reassure the members of this
Executive Committee of the humanitarian nature of the new
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