DPRK Asylum-seekers in Hanoi: Update

UNCLAS HANOI 001400

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ASEC KN TH VM DPRK
SUBJECT: DPRK Asylum-seekers in Hanoi: Update

Ref: A. Hanoi 1373; B. Hanoi 136


1. (SBU) Visiting UNHCR Regional Representative Hasim Utkan
and Vietnam Country Representative Vu Anh Son provided
additional information on the asylum attempt by seven North
Koreans in the Thai Embassy (Ref A). Utkan, in Hanoi to
meet with visiting PRM A/S Dewey and GVN officials (septel),
was asked by his headquarters to "see what he could do," at
the request of the RTG. Utkan met for lunch June 10 with
Thai Ambassador Krit Kraichitti, who reported that his
Government was nervous about how to respond to the position
the GVN initially appeared to staking out, namely, that the
seven asylum-seekers were illegal migrants and had to be
turned over to Vietnamese authorities.


2. (SBU) During Utkan's subsequent meeting with MFA Senior
Vice Minister Le Cong Phung, the GVN seemed to take a more
conciliatory line, noting that the GVN would facilitate the
seven's departure as long as the Thais provide travel
documentation similar to what the French and Swedish
Governments did in December (Ref B). Senior VFM Phung also
reportedly told Utkan that it "may be possible" for the
UNHCR to play a role. During A/S Dewey's own meeting with
Vice Foreign Minister Vu Dzung, the Ambassador urged the GVN
to resolve this matter quickly and humanely.


3. (SBU) Utkan reported that he was able to sit in on the
June 10 interview of the seven North Koreans conducted by an
officer from the ROK Embassy. The group (one family of four
and three individuals) want to travel to the ROK. According
to the UNHCR's Son, this response, and the atmospherics of
the interview -- they seemed "very frightened" -- were
enough for the UNHCR's "first assessment." In a later
conversation with Emboff, the Thai Ambassador said he would
"look to the ROK" for finding a solution to this problem.


4. (SBU) ROK Embassy Political First Secretary Lee Kang-kuk
reported June 13 that he is in regular contact with his Thai
counterparts and that there will be another interview the
afternoon of June 13 to "establish the identities of the
seven." The UNHCR's Son would also be present. Lee noted
that, as far as he knows, this is the first time the UNHCR
has played this kind of role and the ROKG "welcomes it."
The ROKG agrees with the GVN's position that the Thais will
have to issue travel documents to the seven to facilitate
their departure. (Note: Utkan told us June 10 that his
understanding is that the RTG does not issue travel
documents to non-Thais. End Note.)

MARINE