TNAG-1534-FCO40-2098-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1986 — Page 29

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INDOCHINese refuGEES: INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION

and HICG? dost gorts?

Enclosures-flag(s).

1.

Since the consolidation of Communist control in the

mid-1970's, about one and three quarter million people

have left Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Outflows from

we're considerable during and after the period of Khmer Rouge rule, diflows from bichean

Cambodia were particularly marked in 1978-9, as a result

ial

of particular pressure on Vietnamese of Chinese origin

(the Hoa) resulting from intensified Sino-Vietnamese

confrontation. Protection and relief were provided to

many of these by the Office of the UN High Commissioner

for Refugees: other UN bodies and various charities have

also been involved. In 1979 a consultative Conference on

Indochinese Refugees took place in Geneva, convened by

the UN Secretary General, Dr Waldheim, which coordinated

the international response. Also in 1979 a Memorandum

was signed by Vietnam and the Office of the UNHCR, under

which Vietnam undertook to regulate departures (the

"Orderly Departure Programme").

2. The countries into which these migrants have moved

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