CONFIDENTIAL
102514 MDHIAN 8252
AND THERE IS NO BASIS IN INTERNATIONAL LAW FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY. DE MELLO STRESSSED THAT THIS VIEW IS AT THE VERY CORE OF THE ASEAN AND HONG KONG POSITIONS, AND VIETNAM MUST ACCEPT IT. THE VIETNAMESE NEVER FORMALLY WITHDREW THEIR INSISTENCE ON VOLUNTARISM BUT DE MELLO CLAMED THAT BY THE END OF THE TALKS THEY HAD PUSHED IT TO ONE SIDE AND WERE BEGINNING TO EXPRESS INTEREST IN THE PRACTICALITIES OF RETURNS.
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HE VIETNAMESE SUGGESTED THAT THEIR OWN OFFICIALS SHOULD TRAVEL TO COUNTRIES OF FIRST ASYLUM TO HELP THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES CONVINCE
THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE THAT THEY SHOULD RETURN VOLUNTARILY. WOULD DO WHAT THEY COULD TO CONIVINCE BOAT PEOPLE THAT THINGS HAVE CHAGED AND THAT THEY WILL NOT FACE PERSECUTION ON RETURN TO VIETNAM.
THE LITTLE PROGRESS WAS MADE ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
EXCHANGE OF VIETNAMESE STUCK TO THE POSITIONN OUTLINED IN THE CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THACH AND THE UNSG. FOR ANY REPATRIATION TO BE SUCCESSFUL UNHCR AND OTHER UN AGENCIES WILL HAVE TO INCREASE THEIR AID TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILES REESTABLISH THEIR LIVES HERE AND TO HELP REBUILD THOSE AREAS OF VIETNAM FROM WHICH PEOPLE HAV BEEN OR WILL BE PRONE
TO FLEE.
ACCORDING TO DE MELLO THE VIETNAMESE ARE BEGINNING TO THINK
OF LABOUR, THAT THIS AID SHOULD BE CHANNELLED THROUGH THE MINISTRY DISABLED SOLDIERS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND THE VIETNAMESE RED CROSS.
IN REPLY TO MY QUESTION DE MELLO SAID THAT HE DID NOT THINK THAT THE VIETNAMESE WILL SERIOUSLY TRY ND WIDEN THE DISCUSSION ON
NEVERTHE- AID INORDER TO TRY AND UNDERMINE OUR POLICY ON CAMBODIA LESS THEY WILL CERTAINLY TRY AND EXTRACT AS MANY DOLLARS AS THEY CAN.
PARTRIDGE
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DISTRIBUTION
126
ΜΑΙΝ
124
LIMITED
FED
SEAD
HKD
NEWS
NAD
UND
PS
LEGAL ADVISERS
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CONFIDENTIAL
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR
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