TNAG-1529-FCO40-2093-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 69

(c) maintaining pressure in search of an overall solution

to the Indo-China problem, caused by Vietnam's

oppressive policies and the illegal occupation of

Cambodia.

3.

Thailand has borne the brunt of the flood of

refugees, with over 600,000 arrivals since 1975.

Thailand is also the "front line state" in ASEAN's stand

against Vietnamese expansionist policies. In 1984/85,

the burden placed on Thailand was increased by the

arrival of some 230,000 displaced Cambodians following

the Vietnamese campaign against resistance bases near the

Thai/Cambodian border. There are not normally classified

as refugees and, hence, are not eligible for resettlement

in third countries. Thailand currently has around

126,000 refugees and some 240,000 displaced persons on

The

her territory. United Nations Border Relief Organisation was set up in 1983 to assist Cambodians on the border. The

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

International Red Cross and voluntary organisations run

assistance, resettlement and voluntary repatriation

programmes for Indo-Chinese refugees.

OBJECTIVES OF UK POLICY

Ultimate Objective

4.

The ultimate objective of UK policy is a continuing

favourable environment for UK (and Hong Kong) security

and economic interests in South-East Asia, put at risk by

/Vietnamese