was full agreement, as reflected by the Comprehensive Plan of Action signed
after all by all members of the international community who had a concern,
including the United States Government, that the return of people who are
not refugees according to accepted international practices was the right
thing to do. As I say, it is an essential element if you are going to
maintain a decent and civilised refugee policy because you cannot expect
developed countries to accept in refugees unless there is some means, first
of all, for distinguishing between those who are refugees and those who are
not and, secondly, for returning to their country of origin those who are
not refugees. So I come back to the four elements of the Comprehensive
Plan of Action. The Comprehensive Plan of Action always envisaged
repatriation according to accepted international practice, which is
precisely what we did back in December and precisely why there was by no
means the universal international condemnation that you are suggesting.
There was widespread agreement that it was the right thing to do.
24.
Mr Lawrence
The press seems to be of the view that we are set to resume
mandatory return of the boat people, and I am quoting from The Observer
last Sunday. Is it true and, if it is, can you just say a little bit
more on the actual evidence that you have which has led you to that
conclusion
-
that the repatriation of those last year actually has been a
substantial enough contributory factor to stem the flow?
(Mr Maude) On the second question, it is not capable of absolute proof
or disproof. But it seems to me to be very clear that the effect of that
was to send, as I say, a stark and unequivocal signal to those who might be
contemplating making this journey that it would be a futile journey, and
that was an impression sustained by evidence when I was in Hanoi
16