TNAG-1803-FCO40-2563-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-talks-between-the-UK--Hong-Kon-1988 — Page 238

We are

been processed so far out of the 284 who have come forward. looking to avoid getting bogged down again on voluntary and involuntary returns and therefore intend to refer to these cases as the "first returnees" thereby fudging the issue and permitting the Vietnamese to do likewise. We are similarly hoping to avoid discussion of reintegration assistance which in any case will not be given to volunteers returning.

EC Demarche in Hanoi

5. A joint EC Demarche was made by the French representative in Hanoi on 13 September. It called upon Vietnam to take effective and

stone of the boat Regula realistic measures to solve the problem and referred to the

^ internationally accepted right of return to one's own country free from fear or danger

The text of the demarche was only agreed en after lengthy negotiations and several versions. The concerns of The French and Germans were paroculdub concems won't on gu gured

feed and the

:e especially over a)

references to compulsory returns, they wanted to refer only to voluntary and b) calls on Vietnam to stem the outflow: they felt this might imply an erosion of the principle that everyone should have the right to leave their country. Further to this some partners were unhappy that in urging Vietnam to take back all those who are not genuine refugees, the right of anyone to return to his country might be undermined.

The consequence of all these negotiations was

these negotiations was that the text finally agreed was not as strong as we would have liked. It is nevertheless another demonstration to Vietnam of the strength and international nature of the body of opinion uniting to persuade them to help solve the problem.