TNAG-1529-FCO40-2093-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 217

To turn to UNHCR's new Screening Programme for Laotians entering Thailand, we should be grateful if the High Commissioner could comment on the effectiveness of this

Programme. We understand the Programme has led to a dramatic fall in Laotian arrivals. We would also like the High

Commissioner to report on how the returning refugees are being received and how UNHCR's negotiations for the return of the persons "screened out" under the new Programme are progressing.

We recognise the need to provide more durable solutions for refugees along side emergency relief and generally support the inclusion of both in UNHCR's programmes.

I would like to refer to the Western Savannah Phase Tro

project in the South Dafur province of Sudan. We understand that this project could have potential for expansion to cover

refugees. As the British Government have only recently approved bilateral aid expenditure of up to £10.2 million on this project, it is unlikely that we could provide more from our capital aid or technical cooperation funds, but we could consider requests for funding under ICARA II arrangements. If such a programme were extended to refugee camps it would have a considerable spin-off for the local community as well as for refugees. We would welcome suggestions from UNHCR of aspects of these projects or of the new one in the Eastern region which we could take up with the voluntary agencies for consideration for funding under ICARA II arrangements.

I would also like to ask how, in view of the current problems in Southern Sudan, the High Commissioner proposes to gain access for his representatives to areas with refugee

concentrations.

We appreciate