practical arrangements on the return of the first batch. The Vietnamese said that they would examine the lists carefully to determine where individuals had come from and the ability of those provinces to accept them back. They would give us the results of these examinations as soon as possible. They went on to propose that Vietnamese technical experts should visit Hong Kong to make contact with those who wished to return, so that they could explain to them Vietnamese's humane policy and establish where they wished to
live on return.
22
We questioned the need for any visit to Hong Kong in connection with the first batch of returnees. All of them had asked to go back and needed no persuading. Moreover, questions on where the returnees should live could be handled through UNHCR, and travel documents could be provided through the International Committee of the Red Cross. We explained at length the problems for HKG in considering a visit particularly its possible effect on the Vietnamese in the camps and the reaction in the camps to the inevitable media interest.
23
The Vietnamese stressed the importance they attached to a visit to Hong Kong by their technical
personnel and maintained that it would facilitate their preparation for the reception of returnees. They explained that on entry to Vietnam, returnees would need Vietnamese identity documents which could only be issued by Vietnamese officials. They had no wish to contact the people in the camps but would co-operate with UNHCR and the Hong Kong Government on administrative matters during the visit. It was envisaged that no more than four officials would go to Hong Kong.
24
We said that we would consider this request for a visit very carefully and give them an answer as soon as possible.
25
In response to questions from us on travel arrangements for the returnees, the Vietnamese confirmed that direct flights to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City would be appropriate. They suggested that a medium size aircraft would be preferrable and that it would be difficult to process and to provide internal transportation for large numbers of persons returning at the same time.
They
26
We asked if a date before the end of the year could be agreed for the first returnees to go back to Vietnam. replied that while they could not give a definite date they saw no need for delay. The first batch could return well before the end of the year and possibly earlier than December, depending on
an agreement with UNHCR on a resettlement package. They were expecting proposals in this respect from UNHCR shortly.
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