Statement by Press Secretary Fitzwater on the President's Meeting With Thorvald Stoltenberg, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

President Bush met June 26 at the White House with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Thorvald Stoltenberg. The President expressed his appreciation and U.S. support for the important worldwide humanitarian work of UNHCR.

President Bush and High Commissioner Stoltenberg discussed the issue of Vietnamese boat people and the overall issue of potential population movements in the coming years. The President restated the U.S. position in support of first asylum in Southeast Asia and against involuntary repatriation to Vietnam under current conditions there. It was agreed that the United States would continue to be in touch with the High Commissioner on the issue of preserving first asylum in Southeast Asia.