TNAG-1540-FCO40-2104-Further-resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-i-1986 — Page 183

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19.

developments

resettlement

for

There are signs (linked with the

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

be identified for them.

ernative

can

an awful term.

абря

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 be subjected to

treatement on their return. It must be admitted however

that we see little prospect of this in present or

foreseeable circumstances.

that

harsh very

improbate

21.

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

on this sensitive

matter should not be underestimated. Many will have doubts

about involuntary repatriation to Vietnam, even if the

Vietnamese authorities provided the necessary assurances:

CONFIDENTIAL