Background
4.
The second session of Steering Committee 3 on the
Vietnamese Boat People, held in Geneva on 24 - 25 January,
showed there was strong support for an internationally orchestrated programme of mandatory repatriation to Vietnam of non-refugees, starting from 1 July 1990. Only the US and, to a lesser extent, Vietnam prevented a consensus from being reached, the American delegation receiving
Presidential instructions to stick to the date of 1 January
1991 for the start of mandatory repatriation. Diplomatic efforts to persuade the Americans at least to permit the consensus to go forward, while reserving their own position,
are continuing but so far without success.
5. The Vietnamese argued for an intermediate date of
1 October as the start date for mandatory repatriation, but privately indicated that they would join a consensus if one
In essence, the Vietnamese seem to be
were reached.
following the lead of the Americans, who they believe hold the key to international acceptance and an economic rescue
package.
6.
If the Americans cannot be moved from their position, there are two main alternatives lines of action: to explore
further with the Vietnamese a bilateral programme for mandatory repatriation; or to try to persuade UNHCR to act on the basis of a consensus excluding the Americans.
Neither will be without complications.
Aid Aspects
7.
Before the first mandatory repatriation flight, Mrs Chalker approved on 4 December an economic assistance package for Vietnam, conditional upon Vietnamese agreement to a further programme of involuntary repatriation (submission at Flag ́A ́). The package, which was
CONFIDENTIAL