Mr Colvin, SEAD
CCS:
PS/Lord Brabazon
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
Mr Paul, HKGD
Mr Haswell, HKGD
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HKB
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RECEIVED IN DE
D:
12 MAR 1990
HC, kovala lumpur
Mr Paul W
W/26/2
It Has well
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26/2
BILATERAL MEETING BETWEEN MR MAUDE AND THE THAI FOREIGN MINISTER, MR SIDDHI SAVETSILA: KUCHING, FRIDAY 16 FEBRUARY
1.
Mr Maude had a short bilateral meeting with the Thai Foreign Minister this afternoon, in the margins of the EC/ASEAN Meeting, to talk about Vietnamese boat people before his own visit to Vietnam. He outlined the achievements and the disappointments of SC3 (2) and asked whether Thailand would think a regional consensus among the countries of first asylum, with UNHCR support,
worthwhile.
2.
But
Siddhi stressed the importance of UNHCR involvement. Kasit suggested allowing another two weeks for negotiations
After that, it might be between the United States and the UN. possible to agree to "semi-unilateral" action on 1 July. without further negotiations, the US might withhold. finance or slow down resettlement.
But action was needed to deal with the practical problems we, like Thailand, had. What about putting forward a joint proposal for action on 1 July, and trying to persuade the Americans not to obstruct this?
Mr Maude agreed.
3. Siddhi wondered what difference six months would make. What about the PRPC? Mr Maude pointed out that the Philippine Centre would only be for refugees.
4.
Mr Maude said that he would be speaking to the Vietnamese about speeding up voluntary repatriation,
(10)
help for new transit/reception facilities, and about the possibility of resuming aid providing that Vietnam was ready to accept its international obligations. Had the Thai Foreign Siddhi Minister been in touch with his Vietnamese colleague? said that he had last met Co Thach a year ago. They were prepared to accept back volunteers, women, children and unaccompanied minors. Kasit added that negotiations were continuing at official level but very slowly. Less than 20 VPB had gone back from Thailand.
5.
Mr Maude asked whether they had discussed mandatory repatriation.
He would Siddhi said that a meeting was planned within a month. be grateful to know the results of Mr Maude's talks with the Vietname Thailand would then back us up. Kasit explained that the Thais had made it clear they had no money to offer Vietnam. They preferred to channel money through the UNHCR, to avoid the Vietnamese picking and choosing among bilateral deals. Mr Maude said that we had made strong representations to the US to step up funding for voluntary repatriation. It would be helpful if
/Thailand
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