TNAG-0587-FCO40-720-Aid-from-UK-for-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 234

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Commissioner's Programme at a meeting on 25 June 1976, when he emphasized that it

could be solved through the combined efforts of the traditional countries of immi- gration and others capable of absorbing these displaced persons. It was suggested that a number of governments might agree to admit, during a given period of, say, one year, a small quota of refugees or displaced persons leaving their country of origin by sea. The High Commissioner referred to the possibility of a scheme on the pattern of the "Ten or More Plan" in which many countries participate in order to facilitate the resettlement of handicapped refugees. It will be noted in this respect that the total number of displaced persons from the Indo-Chinese Peninsula who arrived in various South East Asian ports during the first six months of 1976 is estimated at some 900, including some 90 who were rescued on the high seas from sinking or unseaworthy vessels.

?tusp tee "Da" 6.

The suggestion made by the High Commissioner was welcomed by a number of representatives. If countries capable of admitting such persons would agree to participate in a joint international effort to try and solve this problem, their

governments might be willing to consider an admission quota for this special category of refugees or displaced persons..

7.

Accordingly, the following scheme is now proposed for consideration by

governments:

(a) Each government participating in the scheme would inform UNHCR of its willing- ness to consider granting at short notice (one month if possible) resettlement

visas to a given number of refugees or displaced persons arriving at a port of

call either on their own boats or on board ships of various nationalities which have rescued them during their journey. The plan would run for an initial period from July 1976 to June 1977.

(b)

UNHCR would be able to request the government of the country of the first port

of call to grant temporary asylum to the refugees or displaced persons, on the following basis:

(i) UNHCR would give reasonable assurances for the early departure of the

persons concerned for resettlement to one or more of the countries

participating in the scheme;

(ii)UNHCR would accept responsibility, if need be, for the care and mainten-

ance of these persons prior to their resettlement.

(c) UNHCR would immediately interview the refugees or displaced persons and

prepare resettlement fact sheets or dossiers.. Having ensured the eligibility

under the scheme of the persons concerned, UNHCR would present their resettle-

ment dossiers to the diplomatic or consular representatives of the countries participating in the scheme.

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