TNAG-0792-FCO40-996-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 95

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3.

It is clear that the problem of refugees and displaced

persons arises from the political and social evolution of this

region. UNHCR, however, is a humanitarian and non-political

organisation, whose responsibility it is to assist those who have

bccn uprooted in consequence. I would, nevertheless, like to

stress that my visits to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Malaysia

point to one clear conclusion: each of the Governments, at the

highest level, expressed appreciation and understanding of our

role, the initiatives we have taken and must take, and the effort

we must make to co-ordinate international response to the humani-

tarian challenges that we face. Each has scated that UNHCR'S

efforts contribute to peace, stability and understanding in this

region and wish us to continue to assist in every possible manner.

It is my firm view that in order to be of maximum help we

must take an overall view of the region, not only of its individual

parts. There are inter-relationships which must be recognised.

Keeping this in mind, I should like to inform you of my mission.

info

4.

3.

Central to

In Thailand there are presently some 115,500 registered

refugees and displaced persons 97,800 Lao, 14,400 Kampuchean, and

3,300 Victnamese (mainly the boat people"). It is obvious that

the "land casus" comprise the overwhelming majority.

any search for durable solutions, therefore, is the resolving of

the problem of the "land cases". Between 3 January and 31 August

1978,

despite 17,000 persons having been moved to third countries

from Thailand, the net increase in the country was also 17,000.

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