TNAG-1534-FCO40-2098-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1986 — Page 83

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19.

There are

signs (linked with the developments

resettlement

for

described in para 10 above) that the main

countries are becoming more interested in finding alternatives to continuing third country resettlement Vietnamese emigrants. Places of first asylum have long been impatient at the burdens placed upon them both by the continuing flow from Vietnam and by the increasing reluctance of third countries to resettle those waiting in the transit camps. We think that governments might well be receptive to the suggestion that we should now explore

together, in cooperation with UNHCR, to what extent those now leaving should be considered economic migrants rather

than refugees, and what possible alternative solutions can

be identified for them.

20.

If it proved possible to establish agreed criteria to distinguish between a refugee and an economic migrant the second phase of discussion would involve identifying options for action.

The logical approach would be to

explore international arrangements under which genuine refugees would as now be resettled outside Vietnam, while

those who had left because of economic deprivation rather

than political persecution (the great majority) were

returned to Vietnam. Such action could be taken only if a

collective approach to Vietnam by the governments involved,

endorsed or even represented by the UNHCR, had first

secured agreement from the Vietnamese authorities

economic migrants would not

treatement on their return. It

see

that we

little prospect foreseeable circumstances.

21.

that

be subjected to harsh

must be admitted however

of this in present or

The

The discussions which we would undertake with the

UNHCR and national governments are unlikely to produce

results in the short or even the medium term.

difficulties of reaching a consensus

matter should not be underestimated.

about involuntary repatriation to Vietnamese authorities provided the

on this sensitive

Many will have doubts

Vietnam, even if the

necessary assurances:

CONFIDENTIAL