4.
b)
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Recent Developments in Vietnam
Dr. McMichael referred to an urgent request from the Vietnam Peace Committee for medical and food supplies for the North East border area. Medical and Scientific Aid for Vietnam had ordered over £4,000 worth for immediate despatch. It was hoped that t DEC would consider this appeal. Oxfam asked for further details.
Miss Balfour referred to an ICRC delegation to the border province, The BRCS would receive a report.
Mr. Heidler reported on a recent visit by the Deputy High Commis- sioner to Hanoi where UNHCR had an office.
The basis of the visit had been the announcement by the Vietnam Government that those wishing to leave Vietnam would be allowed to do so, except for those with military obligations, with access to state secrets or awaiting trial. During the visit there was some relaxation about those with military obligations. Following the visit a memorandum was sent by UNHCR to the Vietnam Government about tech- nical arrangements for this resettlement scheme, especially for family reunion which would be given priority. No reply had been received from Hanoi so far.
The arrangement was not limited to any one ethnic group.
It was estimated that there were still over one million Chinese remaining in Vietnam.
It was thought that many might wish to leave but probably only limited numbers would at first dare to register.
The success of this agreement would depend on new offers for resettlement by other countries which would be in addition to commit- ments already made for refugees from Indo-China.
c)
International Year of the Child
As Miss Pearce had been delayed the Secretary reported that the project initiated by Ockenden for vocational training of young refugees in the camps in Thailand had been adopted by the IYC Committee in the UK. It was hoped by this means to enlist some public support. Other voluntary organisations, e.g. YMCA, Wings, etc. were considering support and ODM were making a grant.
INDO-CHINESE IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
A report from the World Council of Churches on The Boat People was table
Mr. Colin Birt (Home Office Immigration and Nationality Dept.) reported on his recent visit, accompanied by Mrs. N. Morley-Fletcher (BCAR), to Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand to select refugees for the Government quota of 1,500 (1,000 from Hong Kong, 250 each from Thailand and Malaysia).
Although there were some 11,000 boat refugees in Hong Kong about 3,500 only were in the care of the UNHCR; 1,800 of these were in camps and the remainder scattered in hostels around the Colony.
Of the other 4,000 - 6,000 boat refugees, some of whom were from North Vietnam, had reached Hong Kong via the People's Republic of China where many had stayed for months. It was believed that the Hong Kong authorities were trying to negotiate for their return to China but this would be unlikely to succeed. These groups of refugees At first the 3,500 refugees were being kep in separate accommodation. from the Huey Fong had al been kept isolated in a detention centre.
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