NATIONS UNIES
HAUT COMMISSARIAT POUR LES RÉFUGIÉS
CONFIDENTIAL
ANNEX D
UNITED NATIONS
HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES
Télégrammes : HICOMREF
Télex: 27492 UNHCR CH
Téléphone : 31.02.61
H.MC. furcation
Dd.
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 GENÈVE 10
....
27 October 1978
Sir,
I have the honour to refer to the decision adopted by the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner's Programme at its twenty-ninth session welcoming my intention to call well-organized and substantive consultations with all interested Governments on the problem of refugees in South East Asia, and to extend an invitation to your Government, as a member of the Executive Committee, to participate in the consultations to be held on 11 and 12 December 1978 at the Palais des Nations, Geneva.
As Governments are aware, the problem of refugees in South East Asia has increased in magnitude during 1978 resulting in further human suffering and imposing a serious burden on countries of first asylum. In accordance with its non-political and humani- tarian role, UNHCR has continued to make every effort to assist the Governments concerned in meeting immediate needs and promoting durable solutions. While much has been accomplished, much remains to be done.
The recent deliberations of the Executive Committee and my own visit to South East Asia last month confirm that the problem is not confined to countries in the region alone, but is one of international concern. I therefore attach the greatest impor- tance to continuing the process of consultations with Governments in order to ensure a co-ordinated and appropriate response from the international community.
Because of the urgency and the growing size and complexity of the situation, it is necessary that the consultations focus on practical solutions and arrangements to meet the concern expressed in the Executive Committee's decision, as annexed hereto. Thus, the consultations must give full consideration to ways and means of resolving the problem by giving appropriate assistance
His Excellency
Sir James Murray, K.C.M.G.
Ambassador
Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom
to the United Nations Office at Geneva
37-39, rue de Vermont
1211 Geneva 20
CONFIDENTIAL
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