TNAG-2063-FCO40-2941-Vietnamese-boat-people-repatriation-1990 — Page 103

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OF 23114OZ FEBRUARY 90 INFO IMMEDIATE UKMIS GENEVA,

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YR TELELETTER DATED 20 FEB: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION

1. THE BACKLOG OF APPEALS DECISIONS IS CURRENTLY 3,500. THE PROBLEM IS NOT SO MUCH THAT SERVING NOTICES CREATES TENSION (IT DOES, BUT THIS WILL NOT PREVENT US SERVING THEM) BUT THAT PEOPLE ARE REFUSING TO COME FORWARD TO ACCEPT THEIR NOTICES. WE HAVE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE TO GET OVER THESE DIFFICULTIES AND WE HOPE TO CLEAR THE

BACKLOG DURING MARCH.

2. UNHCR'S PACE ON VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION IS FRUSTRATING. WE HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED TO REORGANISE OUR EFFORT AND TO DEVELOP A NUMBER OF NEW INITIATIVES. IN ORGANISATIONAL TERMS, WE INTEND TO CENTRALISE THE COUNSELLING PROGRAMME IN THE SECURITY BRANCH. THE

NEW INITIATIVES WILL BE:

(A) A NEW PROGRAMME OF VISITS WITH CONSULATE OFFICERS TO ALL OF THE DETENTION CENTRES. UNHCR HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND BUT WE SHALL PRESS AHEAD WITH OR WITHOUT THEIR PARTICIPATION. THE AMERICANS, AUSTRALIANS, CANADIANS, NORWEGIANS AND FRENCH HAVE AGREED TO TAKE

PART.

(B) WE HOPE TO HAVE A NEW VIDEO READY FOR SHOWING IN THE CAMPS DURING MARCH.

(C) UNHCR'S PAMPHLET HAS NOT YET APPEARED. WE HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED TO PREPARE OUR OWN AND THIS SHOULD BE READY FOR DISTRIBUTION IN EARLY MARCH.

WILSON

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