JILDING A NEW INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS FOR RESOLVING THE
INDOCHINESE REFUGEE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
INTRODUCTION
The broad consensus by which the international community has
handled the exodus of refugees from Indochina in the decade since
the First International Conference on Indochinese Refugees, held
in Geneva in 1979, is under serious reconsideration. In July of
1988 the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Bangkok highlighted
two crucial issues facing the region: the conflict over Cambodia,
and the refugee crisis. The ASEAN ministers issued a resolute
call for the convening of a new international conference on the
problem of the continued flight of Indochinese refugees in the
region. Former U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz and other
Western leaders present at the meeting affirmed their support for
such a conference, provided that substantive dialogue precede it
to ensure a constructive and comprehensive approach to the
matter.
In early March 1989, after seven months of consultations by
a special intergovernmental working group, a "Preparatory
Conference" was held in Kuala Lumpur. This meeting approved a
draft proposal for a "Comprehensive Plan of Action" for achieving
durable solutions to the region's refugee problem. At the
request of the participating countries, the U.N. General
Secretary is expected to convene a formal international
conference in mid June in Geneva.
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