The World - News from July 13, 1988

Vietnam has said for the first time that it is willing to consider taking back large numbers of refugees who have fled the country, according to a Western refugee official. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Deputy Premier Nguyen Co Thach revealed Hanoi’s new position to Thai Foreign Minister Siddhi Savetsila during talks in Bangkok on June 20. Vietnam had previously said it would consider accepting refugees only on “a case-by-case basis,” which “is their way of saying no,” the refugee official said. “Now they are saying they are willing to contemplate significant numbers of people returning.” The United Nations estimates that there are 45,136 Vietnamese refugees in Southeast Asian camps.