This is what we meant in the London text by the "need for comprehensive arrangements". Why then insist on any reference to "involuntary returns?" If the texts which we seek to negotiate need to include every eventuality, including those on which we cannot agree, then we will not make progress. us avoid taking our bridges before reaching them. In London we agreed on a phased approach. Let us proceed by stages.
Clandestine Departures
Let
Recall London agreement on need for realistic and effective
measures to bring the outflow to an end. Urge the Vietnamese
to continue their efforts and to reinforce them to ensure that they are fully effective:
Action against organisers of departures by boat; encourage Vietnamese to publicise dangers of clandestine departures and negligible resettlement prospects for economic migrants; emphasise deterrent effects of repatriating "non-refugees".
Grateful for news of any further Vietnamese efforts to prevent clandestine departures in advance of the next peak season (ie March to September 1989).
Conclusion
We have come a long way since we first sat down together in Hanoi in August. Let us go on striving to make our co-operation effective and practical, putting the theoretical objections to one side.
It is of course clear that if Vietnam seeks to evade its
responsibilities over the boat people, its international reputation and standing will not improve. On the contrary, the boat people problem will continue to sour Vietnam's relations with its regional neighbours and with the
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