TNAG-1537-FCO40-2101-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-third-countri-1986 — Page 111

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5. The United States must vigorously support bilateral and international efforts to combat piracy and to promote rescue at

The UNHCR should take a more aggressive role in combatting piracy and encouraging rescue at sea.

Administration Actions:

o The United States already is the leading supporter of both bilateral and multilateral efforts to combat piracy and to promote rescue at sea.

o The UNHCR, with U.S. support and encouragement, has taken the lead in international efforts to promote rescue at

An international expert in rescue at sea will remain in Southeast Asia for an additional year to promote enhancement of rescue at sea programs.

o A follow-up mission by the U.S. Coast Guard is planned for the fall of 1986 to continue the survey and training program implemented a year ago.

o The United States Government has negotiated with UNHCR ways of improving the cooperation of European shippers with programs to expedite the rescue of refugees by merchant vessels.

6.

The international resettlement programs for those rescued at sea should be brought into line with normal scheduling of refugee processing.

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Administration Actions:

o UNHCR has established a transit center in Hong Kong for rescue at sea cases which cannot be processed in ninety days. The center's present 180 day residency limit doubles the 90-day limit effective in some first asylum countries.

D.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THE CONTINUING ARRIVAL OF LAO IN THAILAND AND TO THE ROYAL THAI GOVERNMENT/UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (RTG/UNHCR) BORDER SCREENING PROGRAM.

UPDATE: Approximately 5,000 Lao have been screened by Thailand in the last twelve months, of whom more than 2,500 have been admitted to first asylum as refugees. None of the 1,200 rejectees have yet been returned to Laos despite earlier Lao agreement in principle to accept the returnees. (Approximately 1,300 Lao have their cases pending.) Under a separate program, the UNHCR voluntary repatriation program for Laos, approximately 3,000 people have voluntarily returned to Laos since the program began. The USG suppports both the screening and repatration programs and has provided funds for their continued operation.