TNAG-1180-FCO40-1482-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 45

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weeks there has been significant progress in finalizing technical arrangements for the voluntary repatriation of Kampucheans, both in Phnom Penh and in Bangkok, and it is my earnest hope that it will be possible for my Office to share with governments the concrete results of these negotiations in the near future.

Of the people leaving by boat, about 20 per cent are rescued on the high seas. Many are accepted by countries of the flag of the rescuing ships. However, as you certainly know, ships flying flags of convenience form the vast majority of the merchant marine traffic in that area. It is, therefore, somewhat disquieting to see that the numbers of rescues by these ships have decreased considerably. I have, therefore, sent another letter appealing for contributions to the DISERO scheme in order to encourage masters of vessels flying flags of convenience to pick up refugees in danger of life on the high seas. I wish to express my gratitude to Sweden for announcing last month

I am also grateful for its first contribution to the DISERO, scheme. the active interest shown by Australia, France, Switzerland and the United

States.

In order to facilitate and speed up procedural matters, the UNHCR Office in Singapore is now the central point dealing with disembarkation resettlement offers and they have regular meetings with the diplomatic missions of the contributing countries concerning

I am confident that once this becomes better actual sea rescue cases. known in the area, the fast response in disembarkation of rescued

I should cases will contribute to a better working rescue system. also like to suggest that interested governments consider giving joint guarantees for refugees on one ship which will enable them to discuss in Singapore the final distribution of the rescued refugees in their respective countries with a full knowledge of the refugees' background and qualifications. This, in turn, will facilitate easier integration processing for these refugees.

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