Text: U.S. Welcomes Cambodia's Agreement to Resettle Montagnards
(State Department April 1 statement)

The United States welcomes Cambodia's announcement agreeing to the voluntary resettlement of Montagnards presently living as refugees in Cambodia, the State Department said April 1.

The Montagnards are aboriginal tribes that live in Vietnam's central highlands. Many Montagnards fought alongside Americans there during the Vietnam War.

Following is the text of the statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
April 1, 2002

STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Cambodia-Prime Minister's Announcement on Montagnards

We very much welcome the announcement by Prime Minister Hun Sen agreeing to the voluntary resettlement of Montagnards under Cambodia's protection in Cambodia. This decision represents a significant humanitarian gesture that is in keeping with the highest traditions of international norms.

As we indicated last week in cooperation with the Cambodian government and the UNHCR, we plan to offer resettlement in the United States to all who qualify and wish to be resettled among the group of about 905 Montagnards.

We also welcome and endorse the Cambodian government's continued cooperation with the UNHCR to offer protection to those among this group who choose not to be resettled. We continue to support voluntary repatriation under UNHCR auspices as one of the durable solutions for this population.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

---

Return to U.S.-Vietnam Relations.

Return to IIP Home Page.