Speech #960142414

nations are steadily pursuing courses of national development based on the progress of regional cooperation. However. serious anxiety regarding the security of these nations is resulting from the conflicts and tensions in the Indochinese Peninsula and from the outflow of the refugees from that area. In particular. the problem of Indochinese refugees is no longer solely a matter of humanitarian concern. but has become a destabilizing element in the Asian and Pacific region. Although the United Nations Conference on Indochinese Refugees held in Geneva last July achieved significant results. thanks to the efforts of the SecretaryGeneral and other United Nations officials. as well as to those of the various countries concerned. the problem has not been fundamentally resolved. Indeed. each country is called upon to strive even harder in its own way to help alleviate the difficult situation. First. it is necessary that Viet Nam continue to exert every effort to stop the illegal departures of its people as it stated it would do at the Geneva Conference. Second. in order to provide relief for the refugees as well as to lighten the burden of the first asylum countries. international cooperation should be further strengthened in the fields of the permanent resettlement of refugees and of financial contributions to UNHCR. Determined to take an active part in this international endeavour. Japan decided to provide half the funds required this year for the UNHCR Assistance Programme for Indochinese Refugees. At the same time. we are making efforts to promote the resettlement of refugees in Japan and intend to expand gradually the target figure for resettlement in Japan. depending on the progress of the programme. I feel it is important to stress. however. that the Indochinese refugee problem cannot be solved in any real way unless the peace and stability of this region is assured. In order to secure peace and stability in Indochina. it is essential that lasting peace in Kampuchea be restored. I am of the opinion that the only way to accomplish this is for all foreign forces to withdraw from Kampuchean territory so that the Kampuchean people may determine their own political future. free from any foreign intervention.