TNAG-0792-FCO40-996-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 96

3.

6.

7.

In my discussions with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister,

and the Minister and Deputy Minister of the Interior, I found full

understanding that durable solutions should be urgently sought.

It was agreed that the situation in the country did not concern

Thailand alone, but involved the international community as a whole.

I was urged to give special attention to the problem of the

"land cases", particularly by seeking to increase and widen the

avenues for third-country resettlement. In this connection, the

Royal Thai Government specifically proposed a liberalisation in the

criteria for selection, greater speed and regularity in movement, an

appropriate proportion of places for both land and boat cases, and

practical pooling arrangements whereby resettlement opportunities

could be co-ordinated in order to facilitate overall planning in the

region as a whole, and in Thailand in particular. I agreed to bring

these concerns to the attention of the international community and

to consider the practical possibilities of the proposals most carefully. lly.

Further, in accordance with the wishes of the Royal Thai

Covernment, I agreed to continue to explore the prospects for

voluntary repatriation to countries of origin.

8.

9.

In the course of the discussions, it was agreed to elaborate

a pilot project for a self-sufficiency programme to benefit the

displaced persons and the Thai rural people.

The cbjective will be

to contribute towards the development of economically depressed arcas.

The displaced persons, together with the local Thai population, could

provide a labour force that would work productively towards self-

sufficiency and the benefit of these areas. I view this as a most

important outcome. As soon as details are worked cut, in close

consultation with the Royal Thai Government, I shall seek the

. . . / . . .