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5. The suggestions made by the High Commissioner were welcomed by Representatives, who were assured that UNHCR would look into the status of all persons proposed for resettlement in order to ensure that the scheme was not abused. It is hoped that governments of countries capable of admitting such persons might therefore be willing to provide a special admission quota in an international effort to resolve this problem. It is recalled that the total number of such arrivals so far is estimated to be some 900 persons at various ports in South East Asia. While some of the countries in the region have been generous in allowing these persons to disembark temporarily, others are beginning to follow an increasingly restrictive policy. It is clear, however, that the countries of the region are not in a position to fully absorb this additional caseload.
6. The following scheme is accordingly proposed for consideration by governments:
a.
b.
Each government participating in the scheme would inform UNHCR of
its willingness to consider granting at short notice entry visas
to a given number of Indochinese persons rescued at sea or other- wise arriving on boats at ports in South East Asia.
UNHCR would request the government of the country of the first port of call to grant temporary entry to such persons on the following basis:
i.
UNHCR would give reasonable assurances for the early departure of the persons concerned to one or more of the countries participating in the scheme;
ii. UNHCR would provide for any necessary care and maintenance
to be given to these persons pending their resettlement.
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