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UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION REPORT ON THE 29TH SESSION OF THE UNHCR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
1. The 29th Session of the Executive Committee of the Progr:unme
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was held in
Geneva from 9-17 October 1978. The United Kingdom delegation was
led by Mr Bryan Gould MP. The Sub-Committee of the Whole on
International Protection, at which Mr R McDowall of the Home
Office and Dr P Weis represented the UK, met the Friday before
the Session started, ie on 6 October. The official report of the
Session is contained in document A/AC.96/559 and of the Sub-
Committee in A/AC.96/558.
Election of Officers and Agenda
2. Ambassador Jay (Canada) was elected Chairman, Mr Mohammed
(Nigeria) Vice-Chairman and Mr Griffin (Venezuela) Rapporteur.
Ambassador Jay proved to be an excellent choice. His intelligent
and firm handling of the meeting and his determination to keep
out political issues ensured smooth and speedy progress through
the agenda, so much so that the report containing the
conclusions and decisions was adopted in record time - under an
Mr Mohammed was fortunately not given the opportunity of
taking the chair.
hour.
High Commissioner's Statement
3. In his first statement to the Executive Committee as High
Commissioner, Mr Hartling delivered a wide ranging survey of the
work and problems dealt with by his Office. He permitted himself
one mildly political comment to the effect that the increase and
the scope of UNHCR's work was in itself a commentary on the
capacity of nations to deal seriously with issues that cause
refugee problems. He referred to his tours in Southern Africa,
/Europe
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