TNAG-1530-FCO40-2094-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 59

CONFIDENTIAL

VISIT OF THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, 26-30 OCTOBER

South East Asia

Points to Make

contribution

of

1.

Intractability of conflict in Indo-China reflected in continued

Commend suffering of refugees and burden on places of first asylum. humanitarian response; we shall continue to support both as Community and through bilateral contributions to relief effort (UK) record £1.35m in 1985, £650,000 so far in 1986, total of over £13m

since 1975).

2.

Overall solution depends on resolution of conflict and on willingness of Hanoi, Vientiane and Phnom Penh to assume proper

Ideal remains creation of responsibility for their citizens.

conditions which will allow refugees to return in safety and without fear of persecution to countries of origin.

3.

Some now say

Resettlement can be at best only partial solution. "part of problem" rather than "part of solution". Any prospect of If not, increased local integration in countries of first asylum? eventual return to countries of origin, when conditions allow, only

alternative.

We are keen

Note from

4. Many others share our concern at lack of progress. to hear ideas from countries of first asylum and other resettlement countries on possible ways forward. Your own thoughts? your talks in Thailand and Hong Kong that you stress voluntary repatriation as best durable solution.

5. Much talk of increasingly economic motives of those fleeing. Interested in "screening" programme for Lao crossing into Thailand: prospect for return of those "screened out"?

Cambodians

Vietnamese and Khwa Rouge?

Implications for

6. On resettlement, UK's main responsibility must be to Hong Kong (separate brief).

CONFIDENTIAL

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