WE MUST REASSERT THE ACCEPTED PRINCIPLES OF INTERNATIONAL BEHA-
VIOR GOVERNING TEMPORARY ASYLUM FOR PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES ARE IN DANGER
AND THE OBLIGATION TO SAVE LIFE AT SEA. THESE PRINCIPLES WERE NOT
DESIGNED TO COPE WITH A MAN-MADE DISASTER OF THE SIZE WE ARE NOW
WITNESSING. IT IS NOT SURPRISING IF THEY HAVE BROKEN DOWN HERE
AND THERE UNDER THE PRESSURE OF WHAT SEEMS TO BE AN ENDLESS INFLUX
OF REFUGEES. BUT WE MUST UPHOLD AND REASSERT THEM AS BEST WE CAN IF
WE ARE TO PRESERVE THE FABRIC OF CIVILISED INTERNATIONAL LIFE.
THE RESPONSIBILITY FALLS NOT ONLY ON THE COUNTRIES OF THE AREA, AND
THE CAPTAINS OF VESSELS IN THE SEAS AROUND VIETNAM. IT FALLS ALSO ON
POTENTIAL HOST COUNTRIES BECAUSE THESE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE HARD
TO FULFILL UNLESS RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMMES ARE ADEQUATE.
MR SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN COMMON WITH MOST OF THOSE IN THIS ROOM I AM ACUTELY CONSCIOUS OF THE EXPECTATIONS WHICH THIS CONFERENCE HAS AROUSED AMONG THE PEOPLE OF CHINA, SOUTH-EAST ASIA, AND HONG KONG: AMONG THE REFUGEES: AMONG THE GOVERNMENTS WHICH NOW SUPPORT THEM. WE OWE THESE PEOPLE A CLEAR SIGNAL THAT RELIEF IS ON THE WAY. BELIEVE THAT WE SHALL DISPERSE WITHOUT SUCH A SIGNAL.
CANNOT
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.