TNAG-0793-FCO40-997-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 147

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8.

The main topics discussed in the General Debate and under

Item 6 were as follows:

(a) Expansion of the Executive Committee

Most delegations welcomed the ECOSOC resolution recommending

expansion. The Nigerian representative wanted it on the basis

of equitable geographical distribution, mentioning particularly

the claims of Africa. He was eventually persuaded to drop this

in favour of the ECOSOC formula, ie "demonstrated interest".

France said that it should be on the basis of contributions and

accession to the Convention. Malaysia pressed the claims of

South East Asia whilst the observers from Argentina, Lesotho and

Romania (by implication) put forward their countries'

candidature.

(b) Indo-China

All delegations referred to the situation in Indo-China

particularly that of the "boat refugees". Several delegations

took up the proposal that Mr Vance had made to the General

Assembly that the High Commissioner call a conference of interested

governments. Australia circulated a text of a draft decision (it

is understood on strict instructions from their Foreign Minister,

Mr Peacock), which amongst other things called for formal

consultations between governments before the end of 1978. These

were eventually amalgamated into a decision noting the High

Commissioner's intention to call "substantive and well organised

consultations" in Geneva before the end of 1978. The US delegation

also floated a text on the boat refugees which was largely

incorporated in the final report. It included an interesting

recommendation that the High Commissioner inform IMCO of ships that

disregard distress signals so that IMCO could in turn inform

governments. Malaysia and Thailand supported the High Commissioner's

/proposal

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