TNAG-1800-FCO40-2560-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-principle-of-first-asylum-1988 — Page 153

31/05/88

11:48

UK MISSION GENEVA

NO. 342

P011/011

10

24. Following a recent mission by the Head of the Regional Bureau for Asia and Oceania to Hanoi and his subsequent contact, in Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, with

the SRV Vice-Foreign Minister, Mr. Tran Quang Co, the SRV has agreed to send a delegation to Geneva for the continuation of the dialogue on the ODP and other

issues of common concern.

The SRV Ambassador in France, Mr. Ha Van Lau would

lead this delegation which is expected in Geneva from 26 May to 1 June.

25. The High Commissioner has addressed a letter to the SRV Vice Prime Minister, Mr. Nguyen Co Thach outlining the UNHCR's concerns and expectations.

UNHCR does not expect a reaction to this letter to emerge during the Geneva talks but finds this opportunity particularly useful to put across the points that require the attention of the SRV Government.

26. Should Viet Nam accept the notion of readmission of non-refugee cases, (thereby contributing to implementation of a sound screening programme) the outflow from that country is expected to fall and reach manageable levels. Together with an improved and enlarged ODP, the outflow could be expected to wind down and, in time, the problem be resolved. The issue of long stayers and ineligibles would then not be difficult to tackle in line with the undertaking that the ASEAN countries would not be saddled with the problem.