TNAG-1531-FCO40-2095-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1987 — Page 172

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5. The French ODP list contains 3,000 (mainly ex-servicemen).

6.

The French thought the Vietnamese ODP list of 20,000 could turn out to be nearer 12 or 13,000 actual applicants the difference being accounted for by dependants of applicants.

US ODP

7. The US distributed the attached statistics which showed that all countries except Australia had had decreased ODP arrivals in the year October 1985 September 1986.

8.

The US were sure that since the suspension of their programme in January 1986 ODP persons (for both the US and Australia) were leaving illegally. The Kriti Jade case was an example.

9.

Some Vietnamese in the Foreign Ministry were concerned about their image overseas and had told UNHCR they were committed to the ODP and opposed to illegal departures.

10. The US reminded us that the 1979 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in Geneva with Vietnam had provided for:

11.

(a) A programme that covered not only

(b)

(c)

family reunion but also humanitarian cases; (the US reckoned the latter were now taking to boats, as they had the greatest difficulty in getting exit visas.);

Reciprocity: ie consideration of lists drawn up by Vietnam and by the receiving country;

Capacity: persons with exit pernits were not obliged to be received by the receiving countries.

The US thought it ironic that Vietnam should now appeal to the receiving countries to resolve the social problem they had created for ODP applicants.

12.

The US had issued letters of instruction to people who would be considered favourably by the US, but few of these people were granted exit permits. The US maintained that Vietnam were not applying the terms of the 1979 MOU and were issuing too many exit visas.

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/Vietnam