TNAG-1277-FCO40-1627-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 185

CODE 18-77

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Williams

MR FUNSETH: INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES

1.

Reference

243/2

U15

the

My Washer (13)

The 31.10 M there again

(telow)

use

for

nate.)

Please see Mr Segar's minute of 28 October I agree with the line taken on his para 3, which matches the general trend encountered at EXCOM of finding alternative solutions to wholesale

settlement in third countries and Tackling rost renses'.

2.

On the question of a follow-up to the Honolulu Conference, (paras 2(c) and 3(c)), it may be premature to go beyond the suggestion already made by the Australians in the margins at EXCOM for further working level meetings in Geneva. As recorded at Flag A, these new consultations would enable governments to:-

3.

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

evaluate other governments reactions to the UNHCR paper sent with Mr Moussali's letter of 1 August (Flag C)

assess how the ASEAN countries can be drawn into the process of consultations on alternatives to resettlement, and

determine the timing, agenda and level of representation at any further Honolulu style meeting, possibly in Tokyo in the Spring. Although the UK would wish to be included, I suspect there would be difficulty in getting an FCO or Home Office Minister to attend.

As Mr Segar recognises in para 3(c), UNHCR are cautious about being involved formally, as they were at Honolulu, in resettlement countries' consultations about alternative solutions because most obstacles are political. Nevertheless the UNHCR will have to be consulted regularly about the practicability of any new measures. This informal consultation with UNHCR can best be done in Geneva.

4.

To some extent our bialteral meeting with the US delegation in Geneva (UKMis' record is at Flag D) has covered what Mr Funseth would say about the Honolulu conference itself and future US resettlement policy. I hope that the discussion with Mr Funseth will therefore concentrate on an

analysis of the regional political sensitivities in implementing durable solutions such as voluntary repatriation or local integration.

3. Mr

беда

has asked for

ow comments by close to-day. If you agree,

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I could copy thin

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msinte & him

HKK 243/2

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

3- NOV 1983

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

Mounta

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

fin

D J Peate

United Nations Department K 143

233 8631

31 October 1983

CONFIDENTIAL