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PR NO. 196
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East Asia First Asylum. The level of 28,000 in the
esident's request responds to the currently high number of Vietnamese boat people in camps (including new arrivals since January 1988) and puts us in a position to take some additional longstayers (which is part of the new comprehensive strategy for Southeast Asia) should we wish to do so. In a period when first asylum has significantly eroded, this level is needed to encourage the ASEAN countries to continue humane reception and treatment of refugees.
The. Olective
East Asia - Orderly Departure Program. The proposed level of 25,000, which includes 13,000 refugees and 12,000 Amerasian immigrants, exceeds the FY 1988 admissions ceiling by 16,500. An expanding ODP is vital as an alternative to boat departures, and is a vital part of our strategy for that region. The level also provides for several thousand former reeducation camp detainees and their accompanying relatives, to whom, after six years of negotiations, we hope to start gaining access in the coming fiscal year.
Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. We have determined that within the overall total that we are recommending for inclusion in the refugee program, a total of 24,500 be allocated to the Eastern Europe and Soviet Union. We recognize that the number of eligible applicants with exit permission is unpredictable, and may be higher, but under the relevant circumstances, we consider this a reasonable level.
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Near East and South Asia. The suggested level of 7,000 will allow for a continuation, albeit at a reduced level from FY 1988, of our program to resettle mainly Afghan, Iranian, Iraqi, refugees, including a large number of religious minorities. Conditions are beginning to stabilize in Afghanistan, making it possible for many Afghans to return to their homeland. Although the hope for an end to the eight year long Iran-Iraq conflict may lead to fewer applicants, persecution of minorities in Iran continues, including the Bahai's, Christians, and Jews. Western Hemisphere. We are committed to admitting 3,000 former political prisoners from Cuba under the Mariel Migration agreement, and have a humanitarian interest in providing resettlement to certain refugees in Central America for whom repatriation is not an option. The ceiling also provides for the resettlement of political prisoners in Central America.
Africa. The level of 2,000 admissions for Africa supports our priority for Ethiopian and southern African refugees, for whom protection in their countries of asylum is often tenuous. The fact that 2,000 is, admittedly a relatively low figure reflects
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