TNAG-1544-FCO40-2108-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-Intergovernmental-Consultativ-1987 — Page 55

1

FAGE THREE UNGR2030 CONFD

SOURCE FOR POLICY CHANGE ENABLING ADMIN TO FEND OFF CRITICS ACCUSING

THEM OF ABANDONING PEOPLES OF INDOCHINA AND SECONDLY WE HAVE NO/NO

DOUET PURCELL USED THE THREAT OF AUSTRALIAN AND CDN WITHDRAWL TO

OVERCOME THE VIETNAM HARDLINERS. DESPITE THE MODEST LEVELS OF OUR

PROGRAMS THE ISOLATION OF USA IN REGION WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO DEFEND

IN CONGRESS.GIVEN THE RECENT STATEMENTS OF SEC OF STATE SHULTZ AND

REFUGEE COORDINATOR MOORE BEFORE SENATE SUB-CTTEE ON REFUGEES (SEE

OUR REFTEL) AND SIZE OF PROPOSED FY 87 PROGRAM QUESTION ARISES, HOW-

EVER, WHETHER OR NOT/NOT STATE DEPT IS BACKING AWAY FROM PURCELL

POLICY INITIATIVE.

5.WHILE THE ADMIN TABLED AT THE CONSULTATIONS A QUOTE PROGRESS REPORT

JNQUOTE ON THE RAY PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS, IT IS NOT/NOT ENLIGHTENING

ON FUTURE DIRECTION OF RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM.MOST REFERENCES MERELY

REFER TO THE ICG PROCESS INDICATING A DECISION MUST AWAIT OUTCOME OF

ONGOING MULTILATERAL DISCUSSIONS.FROM THE REACTION OF MEMBERS DURING

THE CONSULTATIONS AND DISCUSSION WITH STAFFERS IT IS EVIDENT THAT

CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR A LARGE SCALE SOUTH EAST ASIA PROGRAM IS

ERRODING QUICKLY.CRITICISM FOCUSSES ON THREE ASPECTS:THE INCREASING

ECONOMIC CHARACTER OF THE MOVEMENT; THE IMBALANCE IT CREATES IN THE

USA RESETTLEMENT PROGRAM; AND THE DANGER OF THE USA BECOMING ISOLATED.

THE PROGRAM STILL HOWEVER ENJOYS STORNG SUPPORT FROM POWERFUL IN-

TERESTS WITHIN STATE DEPT, VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AND SOME STATE GOVTS.

6. FROM OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICIALS IN STATE AND INS IT IS EVIDENT

...4

1