TNAG-1791-FCO40-2551-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 36

1

RESTRICTED

EC/ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS' MEETING, DUESSELDORF, 2-3 MAY 1988

BRIEF NO 6: INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES

Objectives

To ensure maintenance of first asylum principle for Indo-Chinese refugees, pending long-term solution to problem.

Points to Make

Refugee problem getting worse, particularly for Thailand.

Resettlement alone cannot provide the answer: therefore have to pursue durable solutions, i.e. arrangements to return to Vietnam against suitable guarantees there who do not meet criteria of refugees. So far little progress.

-Twelve, ASEAN can co-operate to convince Vietnam of need to adopt more responsible attitude.

In meantime commend continuing efforts of UNHCR and others in answering humanitarian needs. Essential that principle of first asylum be maintained until full solution can be achieved.

Deteriorating situation in Hong Kong has led to calls for more effective action, including repatriation under suitable safeguards.

(DEFENSIVE)

UK will continue to support relief efforts. But on settlement main focus must be Hong Kong: consistently high case load of boat people (currently 9,600), high proportion of long-stayers.

-

Also continue to accept Indo-Chinese under ODP and RASRO (Rescue

at Sea Resettlement Offers).

RESTRICTED