TNAG-0896-FCO40-1106-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 170

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UNHCR MEETING OF EXPERTS ON REFUGEE SEA RESCUE: 14 AUGUST 1979

Summary

1. In an atmosphere of optimism that the Vietnamese moratorium would hold the meeting took place at a time when the number of boat refugees had sharply declined thus removing any sense of urgency. UNHCR gave the impression that they were merely discharging the High Commissioner's promise to the July Conference that such a meeting would be convened at the earliest opportunity. No conclusions were reached and no decisions were taken on the follow-up, although the Deputy High Commissioner (De Haan) in the chair, concluded with a verbal summing-up. Very few new ideas emerged.

Discussion

2. The meeting was attended by representatives of Canada* FRG, Australia, Italy*, US, Norway, Netherlands*, Japan, UK* (Holness and Snoxell) and TCO. In his introductory remarks De Haan said that there was no need to adhere strictly to the agenda and emphasised the private and informal nature of the meeting which was intended to provide an opportunity for a frank exchange of views. He thought that discussion should focus on the following two points:

3.

(a) ways and means of organising and co-ordinating rescue

at sea;

(b)

the problems arising from the landing at the first port of call, temporary and permanent resettlement of refugees.

Each delegation made an opening statement (UK and US statements by bag) outlining national positions. The princip..... points to emerge were:-

(a) two nations (Italy and USA) had directed warships to

rescue operations;

(b) three nations (FRG, Norway and France) had ships

operating under their flags provided by voluntary organisations and are ready to accept refugees rescued by them against existing quotas.

The

/Norwegian

* Experts from capitals

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