It is also apparent from news accounts that the procedure for selecting evacuees on the basis of the risk of recrimination broke down entirely. Thousands of people were taken out at random and thousands of others simply headed out to sea on their own to be picked up by American ships. I suggest that our program for dealing with these refugees should include as the highest priority steps to facilitate their early return to Vietnam. We should express to the new government in South Vietnam our interest in implementing such a policy. We should make transportation available and we should stand ready to assist in every possible way in reuniting these people with their families and their country on a voluntary basis. My bill would permit the use of either commercial carriers or American ships and planes to return any refugees who wish to go back to Vietnam now that the panic is subsiding. I fully believe that it will be in the best interest of the Vietnam refugees to return to their own country. S. 1620 A bill to assist refugees from 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 Assistance Act of 1975". Szc. 2. It is the sense of Congress that Vietnamese refugees who would not be physically endangered by a return to Vietnam should be offered an opportunity to return to that country. Ssc. 3. (a) The President shall inquire of the Government of South Vietnam. either directly or through intermediaries. concerning permission to reenter Vietnam for refugees who were evacuated. Such Inquiries shall include an offer on behalf of the United States to provide transportation and to assist with other arrangements. (b) At the earliest practicable date the President shall direct that a survey be taken among refugees from Vietnam to determine which of them would choose to return. For those choosing to return. the President is authorized to provide transportation through the use of commercial carriers or. if the Government of South Vietnam agrees. of military transport. SEC. 4.
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Refugee refugees