TNAG-1529-FCO40-2093-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 82

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DSR 11C

14,500 refugees.

Overall the international resettlement

programme has been by far the major contributor in finding

durable solutions for all but 153,038 (UNHCR 31/5/1986) of the

1.7m Indo-Chinese who have fled since 1975, a rate of effective-

ness of around 90%;

b) the UNHCR voluntary repatriation programme for Laotian

refugees, together with its "screening" programme, has

dramatically reduced the number of arrivals in Thailand.

The next step is for the programme to effect a reduction in

the residual population in the Thai camps;

c) Thailand and other countries of first asylum are continuing

to accept the humanitarian burden placed upon them. Living

relatively good. standards in the Thai camps are

the best in refugee camps anywhere in the world

Amo a broadly cost-effective operation and

shower UNBRO maintains a good record of meeting its obliga-

tions fandļan improving cost per refugee quotient). The

performance of other agencies involved on this issue is also

adequate to achieve the interim UK objectives.

11. As for the subsidiary objectives outlined in paragraph

6 above:

a) Thailand continues to develop, along with other ASEAN

countries, as a force for stability in the region. Vietnam's

expansionism is checked, with a growing opportunity for the

Cambodian resistance to force further concessions upon the

Vietnamese and its clients. Thailand is also continuing

its contributions to efforts to find humane solutions to the

refugee burden;

b)

Thailand and ASEAN frequently express their gratitude for

UK support, including its Ministerial-level contacts.

UK

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