TNAG-1537-FCO40-2101-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-third-countri-1986 — Page 228

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over the continued arrivals by sea of

their countries in recent months.

reaffirmed their continuing

Vietnamese refugees

in

While the ASEAN countries

adherence to the generally-accepted

humanitarian principles, they also reiterated the understanding

that these refugees and displaced persons would be quaranteed

resettlement in third countries or that they would be voluntarily

repatriated to their countries of origin, and that there

residual problem in the ASEAN countries.

reaffirmed once again the importance of international

not be a

would

They

burden-

sharing in relieving the plight of these refugees and displaced

persons.

34.

exodus of

The Foreign Ministers were again in agreement that the

continuing

asylum seekers from Vietnam, Laos and

Kampuchea is evidence of the unabated hardship and suffering

existing in their own countries. The Foreign Ministers noted the

increasing number of asylum seekers from Laos and commended the

efforts of the UNHCR in assisting with the screening procedures.

35.

The Foreign Ministers noted that thousands of

Vietnamese were still fleeing their country by sea and that the

Orderly Departure Program (ODP) remained the most effective

avenue for their

connection,

resettlement in third countries. In this

they commended the efforts of UNCHR and the

for

resettlement countries in providing the necessary assistance

the ODP and called on them as well as Vietnam to continue to work

closely together to enhance the effectiveness of the ODP.

the ODP. HKK 243/

RECEIVE! REGISTRY

INDE

23 JUL 1986

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