TNAG-2062-FCO40-2940-Vietnamese-boat-people-repatriation-1990 — Page 93

CONFIDENTIAL

4

機密

4

(f)

repatriation of those determined not to be

refugees.

4

The

Government has supported the CPA on the

grounds that it applies well established international

procedures to the VBP problem and thereby offers the best

prospect of bringing the problem under control. In a

number of areas, progress has been made. For example,

departures from Vietnam under the ODP have increased

dramatically during 1989 to more than

more than

programme.

45,000 and in 1990

80,000 are expected to leave under this

Similarly, the resettlement package is being

implemented ahead of schedule.

repatriation has, however, been slow.

Progress with

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The

voluntary

A total of 997 people have returned from Hong

Kong to Vietnam since March 1989 under the voluntary

repatriation programme operated by the UNHCR. A further

1200 applications are pending.

repatriation programme is a most important element of the

CPA and we are committed to encouraging its further

development.

indications to date are that it

But all

cannot offer a solution on its own for the increasing

numbers now being screened out as non-refugees. Only 25

of the 1200 outstanding

applications have come from

out (1.e.

people who have been definitively screened

CONFIDENTIAL ##