TNAG-0556-FCO40-651-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 37

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Keil (West Germany) explained the German proposal for a common declaration in support of the UNHCR's programme was motivated by their wish for the Community to make a common stand on current problems wherever possible. Ungaro (Italy) said that he was sympathetic in principle but he thought a common declaration needed to be looked at with caution from the tactical point of view. Most Government repres- entatives were in the delicate position of establishing contact with

the new Governments in Indo-China. It was well-known that these

Governments opposed the emigration of refugees from their countries and wanted the refugees to return. He thought any declaration should be worded in as neutral a way as possible to minimise these political problems. Klaus (Netherlands) also saw political difficulties over the declaration. He had seen Madame Minh, a PRG representative, on television very recently emphasising the South Vietnamese wish for reconciliation and pardon for those who had fought on the other side. Kapel (Denmark) said he was without instructions but he shared the misgivings expressed over the political expediency of a declaration at a time when they were still seeking to establish relations with the

new Governments. He wondered whether such a declaration would not arouse

expectations that we could not in fact fulfil and would only serve to draw attention to how little the Community countries were able to do. Squire (UK) said he was without instructions and he saw some political difficulty in restricting any such declaration to refugees "who had left their country" as in the German draft. The current South Vietnamese line of reconciliation had attracted a good deal of attention in the West. Any such declaration might pick up some appeal from the UNHCR. The High Commissioner was very sensitive to political circumstances and any appeal by him would be on the basis of a mandate which would minimise the political difficulties. Villemur (France) said he was without instructions and wondered what the concrete effect of such a

declaration would be. The negative effects on Governments in Indo-China were obvious. The Chairman (Craig, Ireland) said the Irish Government had just received a bilateral appraoch dated 8 May from the UNHCR which doubtless was being sent to other Governments. It might be that on further study any declaration could be related to this new approach.

It

was agreed that the Groupe should report to political directors that they were unable to make a firm recommendation pending further study by

Governments.

CONFIDENTIAL

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