U.N. Refugee Conference: A Personal Report
Episcopal News Service. July 26, 1979 [79240]
Rev. Canon Oliver Garver, Jr.
For the regular traveler, the trip to the airport becomes routine. Park the car. Check-in. Luggage. X-ray. Seat assignment. Strap in. Take off. One's destination could be San Francisco or Seattle or New York or Timbucktoo. There is a certain sameness about it all.
Thousands of miles around on the other side of the world, others are beginning different journeys -- frantic flights to freedom from scarcity, oppression, genocide. Many will die before finding a temporary haven in an already overcrowded refugee camp. Even for the fortunate survivors, the future remains uncertain. A final destination and a new life are in the hands of an apparent fickle fate.
Though my first impressions aboard my 747 are of routine sameness, a sense of difference begins to be felt. I have my passport in my pocket and foreign currency in my wallet. My flight is not a terrified fleeing, but a calm going -- destination Geneva, and the United Nations Conference on Refugees and Displaced Persons in South-East Asia.
Many of us, from many nations, will gather for two days (July 20-21) to seek an international and permanent solution to the tragic plight of the hundreds of thousands of homeless in temporary camps and yet on the seas throughout Southeast Asia. Ours is a solemn purpose.
For the small group of other American Christians I will join, ours is a moral purpose. Representing the Voluntary Agencies which do refugee resettlement as a ministry of Christian service, we come as a visible and vocal conscience on behalf of the refugees to insist that prompt and effective solutions be found and pursued. There can be no tolerance of further evasion or halfway measures. Human dignity and life itself are at stake, which do not permit rump compromises.
So, on to Geneva. I arrive the evening before, coming by train from my vacation lodgings in Holland. I check into a Geneva hotel where Father John Corn (Executive Director, Episcopal Immigration Services, based in Los Angeles) has booked a room for me. Father Samir J. Habiby (the Director of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief) flies in from New York tomorrow morning. The voice of the Episcopal Church will not be silent, if only sounded in corridors and informal gatherings of delegates. We expect to be heard.
On the morning of the conference opening, a short ride carried us three Episcopal priests to the Palais des Nations. The first sign that we were near the Palais was a South Vietnamese flag waving in the breeze, the banner of a refugee demonstration on behalf of human rights in the land of their birth. Registration for NGO's (non-governmental organizations) was just short of chaos (NOTE: Don't leave home without your credentials again ), but we soon were ushered into the Distinguished Visitors Gallery.
At 10:30, the Secretary General of the United Nations took the chair and called us to order. Arrayed before him were senior representatives of a major share of the sovereign nations of the world, all properly aligned in rows and alphabetically placed. The accident of ABC's placed the United States and Vietnam in the same row, but on different sides of the chamber.
On the floor, below us to our left, were seated three representatives of Church World Service, our colleagues in asserting strongly that the need was to be More than humanitarian. The problem was fundamentally moral, demanding an unavoidable ethical response.
You will have read of both the dull and the dramatic speeches and proposals long before this report reaches you. Therefore, I write only my personal impressions and observations.
The Secretary General, in his opening remarks, sought to set a tone of urgency in stating our purpose to be not the endorsement of generalities but seeking concrete solutions involving "the life or death of thousands upon thousands of human beings." He urged the delegates "to refrain from acrimonious debate." My personal hope at that moment was that not all fireworks would be avoided; someone had to call Vietnam to task as the culprit in this tragic drama. My hopes were not to be frustrated as events unfolded.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) next echoed the plea for "concerted and united actions.... There is no way of reconciling ourselves to the loss of human life we are witnessing at the present. " He particularly challenged Latin America to do more, singling out our neighbor continent to the south for special attention. I thought of all the refugees and undocumented workers from that continent now in the United States and conjectured this might be God's scheme to make room for Southeast Asian refugees in their former homes. History is stranger than fiction, sometimes.
Next on the agenda came the speeches of the heads of national delegations wishing to be heard. Very soon, the Secretary General's plea to avoid controversial polemics was ignored.
In a forceful address, Lord Carrington, Foreign Secretary of Great Britain, called upon the Government of Vietnam "to exercise a humane policy in respect of its own people." With so many risking death on the seas, one can only "conclude that they left because the policies of the Vietnamese Government made it impossible for them to remain," he charged.
Later in the day, the Secretary of External Affairs of Canada, the first woman to speak, sounded a like judgement, calling on "countries of exodus to abandon the policies causing the outflow.... It is our humanity that cries out for an end to the flagrant, continuing and outrageous violation of human rights." Right on!
The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China was even more severe, causing the senior Vietnam delegate to raise his nation's nameplate and demand the opportunity to respond immediately.
When Lord Carrington spoke, I looked over the balcony rail at the Vietnam delegation directly below. Their faces betrayed no emotion. As Canada spoke, I noticed one delegate underlining a stern sentence in the prepared text he was following. The China speech apparently broke their composure totally. Due season
No response was permitted, and the Chinese denunciation continued -- blunt and in spades -- in its demand that root causes not be evaded and the "arch culprit" be named in this "man-made disaster."
Earlier, a representative from Vietnam -- wearing Russian-style garb and no longer the familiar Chinese-style jacket -- had spoken his nation's piece. I felt the urge to shout "Liar!" at his almost every word. This is not done in polite diplomatic circles, and such sham decorum probably is required for such international meetings ever to achieve worthy ends. It does, however, pain heart and soul to sit patiently and listen to blatant falsehoods being spoken as if truth.
I comforted myself by off setting the silent cheers for the words of Great Britain, Canada and China (diplomacy makes for strange bedfellows) against my silent boo boo boo for the conference villain. However, my incipient ulcer could not long stand the rigors of diplomatic stoicism.
Sweden and Nigeria widened our vision, that we not lose sight of the broader dimensions of worldwide refugee concerns. It is not Southeast Asia alone, but throughout the world that one encounters homeless victims of oppressive and evil national policies.
Malaysia and Thailand in their speeches asked for understanding. Their ability to cope with the numbers arriving across their borders had been surpassed. They could do no more. Other nations, with more resources, must offer resettlement opportunities promptly. Interim processing centers must be established. These countries of first asylum by geographical accident had patiently awaited more help from the international community, and their patience was exhausted over unfulfilled promises. I confess some sympathy for their plight. There are limits to what small, underdeveloped nations can do as countries of first asylum pending permanent solutions. (Be not too hasty to cast the first stone!)
The Israeli delegate made an eloquent and impassioned plea, rooted in the tragic history of the Jewish people as homeless wanderers and victims of the holocaust. His people knew what it was like to be at sea and no one will give you haven. (He was kind enough not to name the countries which turned back to sea the refugee-laden ships of not long ago when their cargo was Jews. Be, indeed, not too hasty to cast the first stone I.)
We can condemn Vietnam. We can criticize Malaysia and Thailand for closing their borders and shores, and even sending refugees back to sea or across hostile borders. But, the ultimate judgement falls on those who dally in the seeking of long-term solutions.
The first day's session placed a clear challenge before the United States as the leader of the free world. As we American Christians retire for the night, we anxiously await Vice President Mondale's speech tomorrow morning.
During the course of the day, at a coffee break, I met Mr. Dale de Haan, the Deputy UNHCR, an American and an Episcopalian. We shared our pleasure at the course of the conference to date and the presence of the Episcopal Church. We are to be found in more places than most suspect.
And, so to bed. The talk all day has been of the dictates of humanitarian concern. The Christian presence, including the delegation from the Holy See, will continue to witness to our deeper concern that moral imperatives are involved which permit no evasion. Concrete solutions and prompt actions must be found, and now! Good night.
Over breakfast I reflected on how long many of us have urged the establishment of temporary camps to receive refugees from countries of first asylum, pending their final resettlement. Specifically, the Episcopal Church long has urged an Orientation Center within the USA where medical screening, initial English-as-a-Second-Language instruction, vocational training, etc., could occur pending the recruitment of sponsors -- emptying the camps overseas and using any waiting period usefully. Up to the numbers we had committed to accept, this seemed to us completely sane and rational. However, our urging fell on deaf ears.
Now, however, nation after nation had taken the rostrum to propose such temporary "processing centers," one to be located within Vietnam to assure more orderly and safe "departures." Plant a seed, and never be surprised at its blooming. Our argument was logic and compassion; present arguments are more pragmatic: but, never mind the fertilizer if the desired blossoms eventually flourish.
We enter the assembly hall at 9:45. It is largely empty. The national delegations have been shifted again, filling the spaces initially allotted to those now not participating, but maintaining the ABC order -- from Argentina to Yugoslavia. The USA delegation is now directly below us. The Secretary General enters at 10:00 to face the almost empty rows of desks over the heads of an army of TV cameras gathering before the dais. At 10:15 he calls for order and the TV cameras must leave without their desired pictures of Vice President Mondale's arrival. Only two representatives sit at the USA desk to listen to the opening speech of the day by Australia.
Very rapidly, however, the hall fills, and there are few empty seats when the Vice President enters to take his place -- and, within a few minutes, to move to the rostrum to present the speech of the United States of America.
I was impressed by the forcefulness of his address and the concreteness of his proposals. He called for action. His announcements of USA moves represented a commitment to action to save human lives. He made the first mention I heard (speaking as he did before the Holy See) of the moral judgements involved -- more than humanitarian motivations alone. We were especially pleased at his specific mention of the voluntary agency and religious representatives from the United States who were present -- we seemed to be the only national delegation with non-government members. We had insisted on this as we are the ones called upon to do the resettlement, but success in our urging was not realized until the final days before the conference.
I made special note of the Vice President's announcement that the Seventh Fleet was to be deployed to make rescues at sea of boat people, as Father Habiby has been among those urging this step. Again, plant a seed....
Though not as strongly as some of the previous speakers, Mondale was clear in his condemnation of Vietnam for its policies which resulted in the tragic refugee situation, "... an unspeakable human misery." He made reference to "forced expulsion," for which there was no just cause imaginable. Again, my cheering hat is on I Mondale charged Vietnam as "failing to ensure the human rights of its people. Its callous and irresponsible policies are compelling countless citizens to forsake everything they treasure, to risk their lives, and to flee into the unknown. There must be an immediate moratorium on the further expulsion of people from Vietnam."
One of the Vice President's announcements has caused some concern among the delegates. He reported that the President was ordering long-range Navy aircraft "to fly patrols to locate and seek help for refugee boats in distress." Is this not an open invitation for a veritable armada to put to sea, in the expectation of being soon rescued, by the US Navy and headed for a haven in America? Does not every offer made to resettle more refugees merely encourage Vietnam to expel more of its people? One delegate described this offer as merely a "search and rescue operation," dictated by the urgency of saving human lives. And, yet, it is inevitable that this will encourage more expulsions, unless the pressure can be kept on Vietnam to cease this heartless policy. Time alone is the test.
The representative of the Soviet Union spoke later in the morning in an address which can best be described as a rebuttal on behalf of Vietnam for all the charges made against it. Again, the urge to shout "Liar," and to boo, but... The refugee situation was the consequence of the aftermath of an aggressive war which had destroyed the economy of the Vietnam. Any reductions in current levels of foreign aid only made matters worse. Also, the Russian speaker charged continuing external provocations, especially from Vietnam's neighbor to the north (i.e., China). In any case, the refugees were merely the tragic consequence of war and economic factors and foreign interferences -- nothing more. Truly amazing to listen to such blatant falsehoods spoken so solemnly as truth. Down, ulcer, down!
We left the hall to go to the Vice President's Press Conference, but only Father Habiby's credentials (he had obtained a press pass) were equal to passing through the closely guarded portals. I stood outside, visiting with an official from the Secretary General's office, we agreeing that the conference was going very well, if only as so many nations were "speaking for the record."
The Vice President had brought with him a large delegation, including many members of the House of Representatives, two state governors, staff persons from the House and Senate, administration officials, and three non-government persons (too low a priority to please us). In any case, the time following the press conference was the time for us to do our "lobbying" among the politicians. I spoke only briefly with the Vice President, but laid a foundation for future correspondence. Also, with Mr. Jerry Tinker, Senator Kennedy's senior staff person on the Judiciary Committee, to whom I had often written; good to get a face with a name.
Father Habiby and I spent more time with Representative Lester Wolff (Long Island), chairman of the subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and his senior staff director, Edward Palmer. Exchanging ideas and priorities is always fruitful, and lays the basis for future conversations. Other members of the House were met in passing, though I paused longer to talk with Elizabeth Holtzman, a key member of the House with respect to the Refugee Act of 1979. I had seen her earlier in earnest conversation in the middle of a circle of Vietnamese delegates. I resisted the temptation to ask her of the content of these talks, and only prayed all such contacts might bear fruit on behalf of the alleviation of human suffering and dignity. In any case I believe It a safe assumption that this key House member from Brooklyn was getting a good education in the realities of international relations which can only serve us all well at home.
Lunch found nine of us around a table in the delegates dining room -- we three Episcopal priests, an Anglican priest from Australia, a Methodist Bishop from Minnesota, the national head of Global Ministries for the United Methodist Church, a clergyman from New Zealand, and two staff persons from Church World Service. During our table talk, we agreed the conference was going well, but, as always in this matter, the bottom line continues to be sponsorship recruitment. We can pass new refugee laws and appropriate additional millions of dollars and deploy fleets and wings of aircraft -- but, without sponsorships, it is all to no avail.
So this report from Geneva must end with an appeal to the hearts of Episcopalians from east to west, north to south, large city and small, big parishes and small missions -- all the family members -- to consider anew offering themselves to the ministry of refugee sponsorship. It is a burden, but a reward of abundant joy.
The Gospel speaks often of the assurance of New Life to those who believe. Here is the opportunity for believers to assure new life to those facing misery and death unless doors are opened to them -- the doors of our hearts and of our homes.
I sit here at a typewriter in the press room, surrounded by others typing in French, German, Spanish, Dutch, Italian -- many tongues. In the lounge to my left sit many persons talking in many languages. The scene is a Babel, but the theme is common: concern for the refugees and displaced persons of Southeast Asia. Our common prayer is that what we have said and thought and committed ourselves to here during these two days may reach to a mighty chorus which will be heard throughout the world, and that something will be done.
My prayer is that I and each of you who read this report may never be found guilty of doing less than our best -- even reaching and straining -- in imitation of Jesus Christ in his concern for the lost and homeless.
The delegate from the Holy See repeated the parable of the Good Samaritan. The final words echo in my ears: "Go thou and do likewise."
At the table next to us at lunch sat the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. He turned to us and asked if we were really capable of resettling 14,000 a month. We were bold to respond that America could, but again emerges the bottom line: sponsorship recruitment.