TNAG-1180-FCO40-1482-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 40

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esettlement was requested, Canada believed that there should ve family ties. They saw improvements in the ODP.

7. The US thought that the international community could be proud of its achievement in SE Asia. Many people have been settled and countless lives have been saved. The US had done its share but was now looking carefully at the question of resettlement. From 30 April 1982, those arriving in first asylum countries will only be considered for settlement in the US if they can show a very close connection with the country. These cases should in any case leave by the organised

The reason for programmes (ODP) and not by illegal methods. this change of emphasis was that the US believed that they could only continue playing a resettlement role provided there was support from the rest of the international Community. With no support there will be no congress approval for further intakes. The US hoped that other countries would support the DISERO scheme and provide places for those refugees with special needs. As for the ODP the US could accept far more people than were arriving. They hoped for an increased rate of departures.

8.

4

China expressed concern at the situation in the region and expressed a willingness to accept more people if required. Ireland spoke about the ODP and..said that to date they had received none of the 60 odd cases they had identified and their Government was under pressure from Vietnamese already in Ireland who were wondering why their relatives had not yet been granted permission to travel. New Zealand hoped that by the end of June 1982 they will have completed the settlement of their quota of 4, 400 Indo-Chinese cases. They were ready to extend the

This: programme for a further year and will take 650 more cases. however, was a maximum figure and there would be priority for those with relatives already in the country. The UK spoke as in the enclosed text:

9.

No

Australia, though sceptical that the ODP would stop the illegal departures, had started to process some 1000 cases. decisions had yet been taken on the next year's resettlement figures but when it is discussed in Canberra account will be taken of the needs of Cambodians. Australia also hoped that other countries would join the DISERO scheme. On handicapped cases they thought ICM's suggestion that TB sufferers should. receive treatment elsewhere was unrealistic. Australia accepted TB patients as soon as the disease was under control and did not need to wait until they were cured. Switzerland, France, The Netherlands and Norway also spoke but only to indicate what they were already doing in respect of resettlement places.

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10. The High Commissioner asked Mr Rizvi to respond to comments. He started by referring to Hong Kong and said that UNHCR were well aware of the difficulties. A hard-core of cases, however, was a regional problem and not limited to Hong Kong alone. Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Smy ser, would be visiting Hong

Smyser, Kong shortly to discuss the present difficulties. In response to UK's comment that the boat people were now bottom of the priority list he referred to the High Commissioner's opening statement which said that the resettlement of the Vietnamese boat people would be continued in the same rhythm as before. Mr Rizvi denied the Canadian comment that UNHCR had changed policies for the Cambodians. Repatriation had always been an accepted durable solution and as such was worthy of negotiation. As for Laos, the numbers of Lao who agreed to repatriation could well rise soon, from hundreds to thousands. Vietnam however,