Mr Chairman,
We welcome measures taken by Vietnam to curb the outflow such
as action against organisers of departures by boat;
publicising the dangers of clandestine departures and
negligible resettlement prospects for economic migrants and
emphasising the deterrent effects of repatriating
"non-refugees". We encourage the Vietnamese to continue to
maintain these measures. We look forward to hearing further
details of Vietnamese efforts to prevent clandestine
departures in advance of the next peak season (i.e. March to
September 1989).
We also welcome the negotiations between UNHCR and Vietnam
concerning a draft Memorandum of Understanding (signed on 13
December) which will allow for the return to Vietnam of those
who leave Vietnam clandestinely and who cannot look forward to
resettlement in a third country, subject to satisfactory
guarantees as to their treatment on return.
We also welcome the Vietnamese Government's agreement to take
back as soon as possible all those who ask to return.
Clearly, the successful and early repatriation of the first
group, if possible before the end of this year, could act as a
stimulus to further volunteers and is a powerful deterrent to
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.