Speech #940053523

Tens of thousands of South Vietnamesethe total number is still not knownhave fled their homeland in fear of reprisals by the new revolutionary government. And in spite of scattered expressions of public resentment. the United States has generously opened its doors to the flood. I have every expectation that the Congress will vote the necessary funds for refugee resettlement once the exact dimensions of the need become clear. I hope. however. that we will not close off a critical option to those who have suddenly appeared among us. As Senator McGOVERN has suggested. many of these refugees probably have nothing to fear from the new leadership in "Ho Chi Minh City" and may therefore be much happier if given the opportunity to return to their homeland when the bloodbath scare has subsided. That is why I am introducing today a bill to provide for the return of those Vietnamese refugees who wish to go back. The terms would be strictly voluntary. of course. with transportation provided by the U.S. Government on either commercial or military carriers. This bill is identical in substance. though not in language. to the measure introduced on Monday by Senator McGOVERN. The text follows: H.R. 6797 A bill to assist refugees from South Vietnam who wish to return to their native country Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That this Act may be cited as the "Vietnam Refugee Return Act of 1975". SEc. 2. It is the sense of Congress that South Vietnamese refugees who would not be physically endangered by a return to South Vietnam should be offered an opportunity to raturn to that country. SEC. 3. (a) The President shall take appropriate steps to determine whether the government of South Vietnam will permit refugees who have been evacuated from such country to return. (b) At the earliest practicable date the President shall take appropriate steps to identify those refugees from South Vietnam who would choose to return to such country if the government of South Vietnam permits such return. For the refugees so identified. the President is authorized (1) to provide transportation for such refugees through the use of commercial carriers or. if the government of South Vietnam agrees. of military transport. and (2) to make other necessary arrangements for the return of such refugees.