TNAG-1531-FCO40-2095-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1987 — Page 181

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difficulties and instabilities for the Vietnamese society. The situation would be more serious if there were to be more interviews.

25. Some countries' purpose was to create instability in Vietnam. The Assistant Minister stressed that the backlog problem only referred to certain countries' programmes and Vietnam was ready to exchange views with them in a spirit of cooperation. In particular, Vietnam was ready to discuss with the US all matters concerned with the ODP, under UNHCR auspices, as in the past. Such talks would take place on 4 November in Geneva and he urged the US delegation to consider seriously accepting many of the people in the backlog for departure to the US.

26.

France then spoke in response to the Assistant Minister's statement, in particular to his reference to the backlog population and resultant problems. France was not responsible nor were the governments of any other receiving countries but France was aware of the difficulties and in a spirit of cooperation, was ready to consider the situation with Vietnam.

27. In his summary, Mr Hocké, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, stated that he hoped the afternoon's talks would lead to a consensus which would allow the backlog population and the Vietnamese on the lists to be able to leave Vietnam under the ODP.

11 November 1986

Walle

DJ Walker (Miss)

CONFIDENTIAL