OVERALL SCOPE OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM
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1. Memories of Vietnamese war have tended in West to overshadow the
appalling record of the Vietnamese Government which, having made so
much of its war of liberation, has imposed a ruthless political and economic repression on its people.
2.
The scale of the misery is harrowing to describe. In 1978,
alone, over 85,000 fled by boat from Vietnam. Another 260,000
Vietnamese of Chinese origin were forced out of Vietnam into China.
In 1979 more than 200,000 fled by boat. The figures are now much
reduced but still in 1984 some 20,000 left by boat as the situation in Vietnam showed no sign of improvement.
3. The burden on the international community, particularly on territories neighbouring Vietnam and resettlement countries has been and remains very heavy. At present, we estimate there may be as many as 400,000 displaced Indo-Chinese in South East Asia, including
more than 200,000 Cambodians who have been obliged to flee as a
result of the brutal Vietnamese offensive in Cambodia which they are
occupying.
4.
Amongst the resettlement countries the United States has taken
approaching 400,000 refugees from Indo-China. Australia, Canada and
Members of the European Community have also taken large numbers. Britain and Hong Kong, though they have no historic links with
Vietnam have made important contributions. 19,000 Vietnamese have
been given homes here. 14,000 Indo-Chinese have been resettled in
Hong Kong.
5. Britain remains committed to play its full part with members of the international community in tackling the refugee problem caused by Vietnamese policies in Indo-China. Told the House during
Adjournment debate on 14 May of our continuing commitment to
resettle family reunion and ship rescue cases: last year alone we
took 832 in these categories. Under the Orderly Departure Programme, Vietnamese continue to join their families here direct
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