TNAG-1972-FCO40-2805-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1989 — Page 84

JILDING A NEW INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS FOR RESOLVING THE

INDOCHINESE REFUGEE SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

INTRODUCTION

The broad consensus by which the international community has

handled the exodus of refugees from Indochina in the decade since

the First International Conference on Indochinese Refugees, held

in Geneva in 1979, is under serious reconsideration. In July of

1988 the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in Bangkok highlighted

two crucial issues facing the region: the conflict over Cambodia,

and the refugee crisis. The ASEAN ministers issued a resolute

call for the convening of a new international conference on the

problem of the continued flight of Indochinese refugees in the

region. Former U.S. Secretary of State George Schultz and other

Western leaders present at the meeting affirmed their support for

such a conference, provided that substantive dialogue precede it

to ensure a constructive and comprehensive approach to the

matter.

In early March 1989, after seven months of consultations by

a special intergovernmental working group, a "Preparatory

Conference" was held in Kuala Lumpur. This meeting approved a

draft proposal for a "Comprehensive Plan of Action" for achieving

durable solutions to the region's refugee problem. At the

request of the participating countries, the U.N. General

Secretary is expected to convene a formal international

conference in mid June in Geneva.

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