TNAG-1789-FCO40-2549-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1989 — Page 83

CONFIDENTIAL

The

Commission representatives repeatedly draw this distinction, most recently at the UNHCR Working Group meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 7-9

December, where the Commission representative emphasised that the

Community would only contribute repatriation assistance for

voluntary returns. Mr Cheysson also made the distinction of

assisting only voluntary returns during his recent visit to Vietnam. 9. There is no basis for this distinction in agreed Community policy. The Joint Declaration of the EC/ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in

Dusseldorf on 2/3 May this year stated: Quote. ASEAN and EC

Ministers shared the view that the plight of those who fled from

Indo-China, including those still in refugee transit camps in ASEAN countries and those along the Thai/Kampuchean border, remained the

cause of serious concern. These refugees and displaced persons have an inalienable right to return to their home countries.

Community is ready to assist in their return. As long as the flow

of refugees continues, humanitarian efforts co-ordinated between the

countries of first asylum, the resettlement countries and the

international organisations concerned will have to continue to ease

the suffering of the refugees and expedite their resettlement.

Ministers were seriously concerned about the recent dramatic

increase in the flow of Vietnamese boat people, a problem which

originated with Vietnam. They were of the view that Vietnam should,

in conformity with humanitarian principles and in the interest of

regional peace, stability and harmony, cooperate with UNHCR, the

countries of first asylum and the resettlement countries to find a

solution. Vietnam should also accept the return of those who do not meet the agreed criteria for refugee status, subject to satisfactory

guarantees as to their treatment on return. Unquote.

The

10. There is no suggestion in this text that Vietnam should only

accept the return of volunteers or that Community repatriation

assistance should be limited to volunteers. The issue of voluntary

or involuntary repatriation was discussed at length by Coreu in

July, August and September in the context of a démarche by the

Twelve to the Government of Vietnam, but no agreed conclusion was

possible. The final démarche, which was made by the French Chargé d'Affaires in Hanoi on 13 September (CPE/PAR 375, CPE/PRES/ATH 346

AND 360), omitted the point.

11. British officials would be glad to come to Brussels in the New Year to explain our policy more fully to the Commission services and