THE REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE
UNITED States of America
TO THE
EUROPEAN OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS
GENEVA
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His Excellency
John A. Sankey, C.M.G.,
37-39, rue de Vermont
Permanent Representative
- 3 JAN 1989
December 2, 1988
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1211 Geneva 20
John
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My Government is looking forward to participating in this year's Consultative Meeting of the UNHCR Orderly Departure Program (ODP) to be held in Geneva December 14-15. past years, we hope our delegates will be joined by yours so we can address together the problems and promise of the ODP.
As you are aware, the ODP was established as an alternative to dangerous, clandestine boat departures and to effect family reunification. With the current crisis in first asylum in Southeast Asia, ODP takes on an even more critical role. An ODP which is not only functioning but expanding is essential to efforts to work out new international arrangements which can bring about a reduction in boat departures and the restoration of first asylum. The first asylum countries themselves have been reiterating the necessity of an expanded ODP.
My Government is encouraged that Vietnam permitted the resumption of processing applications under the U.S. Orderly Departure Program (ODP) in the fall of 1987 after suspending such processing at the beginning of 1986. In the year since United States interviewing resumed, more than 20,000 persons have been interviewed in the U.S. ODP and Amerasian program. In the same period, approximately 12,500 persons have departed Vietnam for the United States.
While these developments are encouraging, Vietnam needs to continue to increase the number of people permitted to emigrate through ODP, particularly Re-education Center detainees. Moreover, there are a large number of persons whose applications have been approved by U.S. interviewers, but who have not yet departed Vietnam because of delays in arranging transportation, medical examinations or exit documentation. We are aware that other refugee receiving countries are experiencing similar operational difficulties in the movement of approved applicants.
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