TNAG-0794-FCO40-998-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 167

CONFIDENTIAL

- 13.

<

(viii) Where persons leave their countries in order to reunite with their

families abroad, countries of origin and those where such family reunion would take place may wish to formulate appropriate bilateral or multilateral procedures if this has not been done. Humane in itself, this would provide an alternative and more practical means of reuniting families than presently available. In this connexion, bilateral or multilateral arrangements resulting in more regular migration procedures might also be considered.

VI.

(ix) Considerations relating to the stability of the region as a whole

indicate a need for multilateral and bilateral efforts directed towards the improvement of economic conditions in the Indo-China peninsula. International assistance could help redress the devastation caused by war and successive natural calamities and influence the decisions both of those who might wish to repatriate voluntarily and of those who might otherwise consider leaving for economic reasons.

(x) There is an evident need to develop self-sufficiency projects, and the pilot project being elaborated in Thailand is a most welcome development. The social consequences of idleness and prolonged dependence on relief assistance are well known. As such projects are identified they should be considered for most generous financial backing from the international community.

(xi) There is a need to increase the numbers of countries contributing

financially to meet the requirements brought to the attention of UNHCR. Costs in the area are rising and governments may wish to consider making early budgetary provision.

CONCLUSION

42. The Report of the High Commissioner was considered by the Third Committee of the General Assembly on 13-14 November 1978. The resolution, which was adopted by consensus, commended Governments "for the humanitarian spirit in which they have received refugees and for the generous manner in which they have contributed to alleviate suffering". The resolution went on to urge Governments "to continue to co-operate closely with the High Commiss oner in efforts to achieve the self-sufficiency and, where possible, the integration of refugees in countries of asylum, and to accept for resettlement, on the widest possible basis, refugees from countries of first asylum". The resolution further urged Governments to facilitate the work of the High Commissioner by the "scrupulous observance of humanitarian principles with respect to the granting of asylum and the non-refoulement of refugees".

43. The present consultations will have served an important purpose if they give practical expression to these imperatives. In limbo, awaiting durable solutions, the refugees and displaced persons of South East Asia require the urgent assistance of the international community. The measures to help them must be defined, in these consultations, with greater clarity, and then implemented with speed.

CONFIDENTIAL