TNAG-1906-FCO40-2710-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 21

PTZAKT(2)

d)

In the exercise of UNHCR's traditional monitoring functions,

SRV will allow UNHCR full access to the returnees."

In practice, the Vietnamese authorities have granted open access to those who have returned to Vietnam not only to UNHCR staff, but

to British Government representatives and to visiting Western

journalists.

2.

3.

UNHCR representation in Vietnam consists of four personnel in Hanoi and one in Ho Chi Minh City, the latter due to be joined by a

colleague in September 1989. In March and April of this year 143

boat people voluntarily returned to Vietnam. We understand that by May, UNHCR personnel had visited 45 cases, according to the

following list:

6 March

7 March

Hanoi

Hanoi

2 cases

1 case

10 March

Haiphong

6 cases

14 March

30 March

Hanoi

7 cases

Hanoi

5 cases

31 March

Haiphong

3 cases

15 May

16 May

Hanoi

Haiphong

6 cases

3 cases

We further understand that the cases were chosen by UNHCR as those

likely to be most at risk. They included young army deserters and

street fighters. In all cases UNHCR were given free access to those they had asked to see, and they encountered no difficulties with the Vietnamese authorities over the monitary programme.

4. During his visit to Vietnam, former British Minister of State

Lord Glenarthur saw three separate groups of returned boat people

on 14 April 1989. Lord Glenarthur noted that all those he visited

said they would advise others in Vietnam not to leave and those

still in Hong Kong to return. He did not have the impression that

these boat people were speaking under duress.