CONFIDENTIAL
143507
MDHIAN 0414
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1163
OF 12104OZ APRIL 89
нко HKD 24319
TOP COPY
DIST?
INFO IMMEDIATE BANGKOK, HANOI
BANGKOK TELNO 255: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: SUB-COMMITTEE
ON DEPARTURES AND REPATRIATION
CLANDESTINE DEPARTURES
1. US SENSITIVITIES MEANT THAT A DETAILED DISCUSSION ON VIETNAMESE EFFORTS TO PREVENT CLANDESTINE DEPARTURES WAS RELEGATED TO AN INFORMAL MEEING DURING THE LUNCH BREAK. MALAYSIA, THAILAND, PHILIPPINES, VIETNAM AND HONG KONG WERE INVITED TO TAKE PART UNDER A UNHCR CHAIRMAN (JAMBOR). THE THAIS PRESENTED A DETAILED BRIEF ON THE MAIN DEPATURE ROUTES AND WE PROVIDED INFORMATION ON POLICE/ MILITARY ASSISTANCE TO VBP IN THE HAIPHONG, GUANG NINH AND HONG GAI AREAS. THE VIETNAMESE EXPLAINED THEIR DIFFICULTIES BUT AGREED TO TAKE ACTION ON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED AND TO REPORT BACK VIA MISSIONS
IN HANOI.
REGIONAL HOLDING CENTRE
2. JAMBOR, SPEAKING PERSONALLY AND IN CONFIDENCE EXPLAINED UNHCR THINKING ON A REGIONAL HOLDING CENTRE. HE SAID THAT THE ASEAN COUNTRIES WERE PRESSING FOR SOMETHING CONCRETE ON ALTERNATIVES TO VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION. THEY HAVE PROPOSED THAT UNHCR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NON-REFUGEES SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE SCREENING DECISION. THIS MIGHT MEAN EITHER THAT NON-REFUGEES ARE MOVED TO A UNHCR CAMP IN THE COUNTRY OF FIRST ASYLUM OR TO A REGIONAL HOLDING CENTRE. JAMBOR SAID HOCKE WAS RESISTING SUCH A ROLE BUT AS WITH SCREENING HE MIGHT BE FORCED TO ACCEPT IT AS THE PRICE TO BE PAID FOR A WORKABLE CPA. HE SAID THAT THE PHILIPPINES ARE PREPARED TO ALLOW BATAAN COR SOME OTHER SITE) TO BE USED AS A REGIONAL HOLDING CENTRE BUT THEY WILL NOT MAKE AN OFFER UNTIL ASKED BY ASEAN TO DO SO. ASEAN WILL NOT MAKE SUCH A REQUEST UNTIL UNHCR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE NON-REFUGEES.
COMMENT
3. THE ASEAN COUNTRIES ARE CLEARLY FRUSTRATED BY THE RELUCTANCE OF THE US AND VIETNAM TO DISCUSS ALTERNATIVES TO VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION. THEY ARGUED SUCCESSFULLY FOR THE INCLUSION IN THE SUB-COMMITTEE'S REPORT OF A RECOMMENDATION THAT THE REGIONAL HOLDING CENTRE IDEA BE
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