New approaches are required to cope with this flow into Southeast Asia. while more realistic steps are taken to deal with the problem at its source. Critically important in this process will be efforts by all nations. within the region and outside. to improve the political climate in Southeast Asiaby ending years of conflict in Cambodia. by negotiating the end to other longstanding differences. and by assisting countries to deal with problems that contribute to the desperate movement of peoples throughout the region. As always. the fate of refugees is linked to the larger questions of war and peace and economic stabilityof diplomacy instead of conflict. To this end. the United States can best contribute to this peaceful process by taking tile necessary steps to normalize relations with Vietnam. That is one of the most realistic ways for us to deal with these humanitarian problems at their source. Finally. the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees must begin to adjust its programs of humanitarian assistancetaking steps to screen refugees from nonrefugees. securing greater protection for bona fide refugees. establishing programs to help the countries of origin. and providing new procedures. consistent with international humanitarian law. to facilitate both the repatriation as well as the resettlement of Indochinese. That will be the agenda before the international community at this weeks conference in Geneva. It is a critical timea watershed pointfor the Indochinese program.
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Refugees refugees