TNAG-1543-FCO40-2107-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 117

COMMENTS

6.

DESPITE HIGH COMMISSIONER HOCKE'S CONFIDENT STATEMENTS TO US, IT DOES SEEM THAT THE THAI AUTHORITIES ARE TAKING A MORE ROBUST LINE WITH LONG STAYERS. EITHER THEY ARE TAKEN BY THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES OR THE THAIS SEND THEM TO THE HIGHLY DANGEROUS BORDER CAMPS FROM WHERE THEY HOPE EVENTUALLY THEY CAN BE RETURNED.

THE THAI/LAOTIAN SCREEING PROGRAMME IS, AS YOU KNOW, AN INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION SCHEME IN WHICH THE UNHCR PARTICIPATES. THE THAIS OBVIOUSLY WANT TO PUSH IT THROUGH TO THE SECOND PHASE-REPATRIATION. EVEN WITHOUT THIS SECOND PHASE, THE SCHEME HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN REDUCING THE MOVEMENT FROM LAOS TO A TRICKLE. IT SUGGESTS THAT THE LOGIC OF OUR OWN PROPOSALS IS CORRECT.

ENDS

JJJ

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28880 HKGV

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CONFIDENTIAL

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