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RECEIVED IN RED NO. 51
2 4 NOV 1978
UNHCR CONSULTATIONS ON INDO-CHINA:
PROBLEM
1.
A
INDEX
No
GENEVA 11-12 DECEMBER 1978
en Ten
ar
The UNHCR has invited the Government to participate in inter-
national consultations to be held in Geneva on 11-12 December to
help find solutions to the Indo-Chinese refugee problem. How should the Government respond?
BACKGROUND AND ARGUIENT
2. In his speech at the opening session of the current UN General Assembly, Mr Cyrus Vance called for early international consultations on the Indo-Chinese refugee problem. Subsequently, the UNHCR executive Committee (on which the UK was represented by Mr Bryan Gould MF) welcomed the intention of the High Commissioner for Refugees to call "well organized and substantive consultations" on the matter.
Participation in the Conference
3.
So far as we are aware at present, those invited to attend are:
(a) All 31 members of the UNHCR Executive Committee (list
attached);
(b) Countries of first asylum Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Philippines, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam;
Countries which have shown an interest New Zealand, Finland and Argentina;
(c)
(a)
Countries which have large fleets operating in the region Liberia and Panama (these have been added at our suggestion).
The level of British representation
4.
the
The US Embassy have urged a high level of representation:
Americans themselves are thinking in terms of fielding a State Department Under-Secretary for Folitical Affairs to lead their delegation, but their final choice will depend on the level of representation of other states. The Canadian High Commission have told us it is their Government's intention to field either an
/Assistant
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.