The ASEAN Foreign Ministers are seriously concerned about the continued outflow of refugees, displaced persons and illegal immigrants from Indochina and the problems this poses for the ASEAN countries. The Foreign Ministers note with particular concern the large increase in the number of Vietnamese boat people coming into the ASEAN region over the past year.

The Foreign Ministers are of the view that the structures, premises and assumptions of the past are no longer capable of dealing with the Vietnamese boat people problem. The Foreign Ministers agree that a new comprehensive programme of action is needed.

The Foreign Ministers call for the convening of an international conference on Indochinese refugees at Ministerial level under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary General in early 1989 to formulate a new comprehensive programme of action.

The Foreign Ministers agree on the urgency for increased efforts toward resolving the problem at its source. The Foreign Ministers call upon the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the interest of regional peace, stability and harmony, and in conformity with humanitarian principles, to take effective measures:

• to discourage the illegal outflow of its people;
  
  

• to accept the return of those who do not meet international criteria for refugee status; and
  
  

• to expand the Orderly Departure Programme (ODP).

The Foreign Ministers are of the view that any eventual political settlement of the Kampuchean conflict should also create conditions under which Kampuchean displaced persons and refugees would be able to return to their homeland in safety and with dignity.

The Foreign Ministers call upon the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to render its full cooperation to the UNHCR with regard to the repatriation of Lao refugees and displaced persons who wish to return to their homeland and of those who do not meet international refugees criteria.

The Foreign Ministers reaffirm the willingness of the ASEAN countries to work closely with all parties concerned to find a durable and humane solution to the problem of Indochinese refugees.