22 May 1992
Ron Godfrey Esq
Head of Vietnamese Migrants Unit
SEAD
FCO
Dear
Mr Godfrey,
(47)
British Embassy
28/31
HRA 020
Oslo
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
28 MAY 1892
INDE
A
ст
CONTRIBUTION OF NORWEGIAN REFUGEE COUNCIL TO VIETNAMESE REPATRIATION PROGRAMME
1. I had a most interesting call on 22 May on Pål Nesse, who is coordinating from the Oslo end the Norwegian Refugee Council's contribution to the NARV (Nordic Assistance to Repatriated Vietnamese) programme. I enclose the note he gave me on the programme, which I am sure contains nothing new to you. Other comments he made about the Norwegian approach may, however, be of interest.
2. Nesse said his organisation, and indeed Norway as a whole, had had no strong connection with Vietnam or its migrant problem before getting involved in NARV about two years ago. This was helpful since it allowed them to maintain a "neutral" image and avoid entanglement in the more controversial political aspects of the issue. In particular, they had carefully refrained from commenting on the screening procedure for Vietnamese migrants on conditions in the Hong Kong camps, preferring to take the results of the screening procedure as a fait accompli and concentrate on getting people back to Vietnam as quickly and safely as possible. They were happy with their liaison with the Hong Kong Government and their man in Hanoi, Nils Sivertsen, had also made sure to stay in touch with the British Embassy.
or
3. The Refugee Council's main focus is now on the programme for repatriation of unaccompanied minors. They have already committed themselves in principle to assist with the return of all minors who have been "screened out", thereby paving the way for them to participate in mandatory as well as voluntary repatriation in this category. They understand the Hong Kong authorities have not yet countenanced the mandatory repatriation of minors, but Nesse would be neither shocked nor surprised if this were to come at
some time in future, and detects signs that other countries such as Thailand are already considering making the same move..
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