Mr. President. the international meeting in Geneva last weekend was a major step forward in addressing the tragedy of the boat people and other refugees in Southeast Asia. Sixtyfive countries developed a consensus on both immediate humanitarian relief efforts and a longer term framework for refugees in Southeast Asia. While the meeting did not address the political and diplomatic conflicts which are the fundamental cause of the refugee problem. the humanitarian measures agreed to will help create a climate in which these basic problems can be discussed and. I hope. resolved. An important aspect of the meeting in Geneva was the consultation arranged by the International Council of Voluntary Agencies between the most important and respected voluntary agencies in the world to discuss a program of action on the Indochina refugee problem. This consultation brought together 52 agencies. including the World Council of Churches. the International Catholic Migration Commission. Oxfam. the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. the American Friends Service Committee. and the Salvation Army. The statement agreed to by these organizations presents a positive program for action which governments as well as private relief organizations should support. The statement included the following recommendations: First. support for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees plan of action. including the procedures for orderly departure from Vietnam agreed to by the Vietnamese Government and the UNHCR. Second. immediate humanitarian measures to relieve the overcrowding and intolerable living conditions in the camp facilities in Southeast Asia. including increased annual acceptance quotas in resettlement countries. emergency reductions in camp populations. and the establishment of additional holding and processing centers under the inspection of the UNHCR. Third. a rationalization of the criteria and processes of selection by the resettlement countries. especially regarding the plight of families and unwanted children.
Keywords matched
Refugees refugee refugees