TNAG-0895-FCO40-1105-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 181

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veto. Western members of the Council and ASEAN countries will

need to concert about the next steps, which were summarised by Dr Waldheim in a four point plan of action:-

5.

(1) To reduce the backlog, both of boat and land people:

(2)

(3)

(4)

To expand the UNHCR/Vietnamese understanding of

orderly departure, but not at the expense of those already in camps:

The idea of holding centres should be built on:

Rescue at sea was important and the UN would seek to

co-ordinate the activities of special rescue ships.

The Geneva Conference has evoked a pledge of resettlement

places totalling 260 thousand - double what was available two

months ago. The Philippines have offered a transit centre for 50 thousand refugees which should ease the position on Hong Kong. The funds at the disposal of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees were increased by US$190 million. Vietnam's responsibility for

the refugee exodus has been fully exposed and she has lost the sympathy that she once enjoyed.

6. I am copying this minute to the other members of OD and to

Sir John Hunt.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

24 July 1979

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(CARRINGTON)

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