TNAG-1537-FCO40-2101-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-third-countri-1986 — Page 114

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HOW TO PROCEED GIVEN THE NEW SITUATION ALONG THE THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER WHICH HAS PLACED MORE THAN 245,000 DISPLACED KHMER IN EVACUATION SITES IN THAILAND.

UPDATE: As a result of international diplomatic efforts, effective separation of civilians and combatants, and Vietnamese concentration of military action in the interior, no evacuations of the border camps were required this year. Health surveys revealed a drop in infant mortality and malnutrition. Both the number of incidents and the level of violence decreased. Most internal security problems are tied to smuggling and black market activities. Efforts to expand educational opportunities continue via negotiations between UNBRO and the RTG. The RTG announced its intention to close the camp at Khao-I-Dang and requested the assistance of all resettlement nations in completing processing of all remaining registered Khmer and family card holders before the end of the year. Discussions on this subject continue, and the Thai have said they will review the situation at the end of the year. U.S. processing of land Vietnamese has been completed for those in Priorities 1-5 (1,400 people accepted) and will begin soon for category cases among the P-6 population. RTG officials have indicated that the land Vietnamese will be moved to Phanat Nikhom soon.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. The United States should assist the U.N. Border Relief Operation [UNBRO], the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Thai authorities to ensure the safety of all border camps as much as possible from Vietnamese attack. Diplomatic efforts to discourage Vietnamese attacks on civilian camps should be continued.

Administration Actions:

o USG delegations to Hanoi to discuss POW/MIA issues strongly encouraged Vietnam to refrain from attacks on the civilian populations. The visit of Assistant Secretaries Wolfowitz and Armitage was premised on the absence of such attacks.

o UNBRO, with RTG cooperation, prepared evacuation routes and sites for all camps. Although further consolidations occurred, no evacuations were required during the dry

season.

o The United States has encouraged UNBRO and the RTG to take steps to remove any pretext for military attacks on the camps.

o The United States will continue to provide adequate support to UNBRO to ensure the safety of all border camps.