TNAG-1529-FCO40-2093-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 153

While continuing to offer its fair share of financial

support and resettlement places, Canada believes other durable

solutions must also be vigorously pursued. Accordingly, we

fully support the Royal Thai Government's introduction last year

of Lao screening. Not only has the impact of screening been

dramatic in terms of deterring arrivals but also heartening to

those involved in resettlement who saw only a never-ending

conveyor across the Mekong. To show concrete support for the

Lao screening and return program, Canada allocated $100,000 to

its costs. For those persons screened out, we hope that the

parties concerned will resolve the matter bilaterally.

We are encouraged that 3,000 Lao voluntarily repatriated

since 1980 and we understand up to 12,000 to 15,000 more Lao

spontaneously repatriated. It is satisfying to know that the

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LPDR has never refused a candidate for voluntary repatriation,

and that the UNHCR monitors repatriates, and finds no evidence

of persecution or punishment following return. How many are

aware that the UNHCR has a dozen projects each costing from

$60,000 to $250,000 to assist the reintegration of Lao repatriates?

Projects include packages of agricultural tools, dispensaries,

schools, and skills training all designed to reintegrate

repatriates, and to improve economic conditions, the root cause

of much of the Lao exodus. With patience, funding and the

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