ational Societies from North and South merica, the ICRC and the League took part, ippealed to the Parties to the conflict to respect fundamental humanitarian principles and to support the Red Cross in its work for the benefit of all the victims without discrimination.
CHAD: FAMILIES OF POWS GROUPED FOR TRANSFER TO THE SOUTH
At the beginning of June, the Chad authori- ties officially agreed to the ICRC's organizing the transfer to the south of the country of families of prisoners of war and of some civilian internees, who had been held since the end of 1977 in the northern territory under FROLINAT control. This operation was to involve about a thousand people. Between 7 and 10 June, the ICRC aeroplane made 11 flights from Faya to Fada and back, allowing 70 women and 30 children to be grouped together before departure for N'Djamena. The disturbances which broke out in the capital have caused the operations to be temporarily suspended.
Meanwhile, the ICRC delegates in Faya have continued to visit prisoners held by the FROLINAT and to provide food for the camps. From the very beginning of June, the ICRC has taken charge of health conditions and has provided food in four reception centres in the capital, where there are 1,500 former civilian internees. These people were evacuated in May from Abéché with ICRC assistance. During the fighting in N'Djamena, the ICRC organized convoys to take medical supplies and the wounded to the hospitals.
XIth INTER-AMERICAN RED CROSS CONFERENCE IN RIO DE JANEIRO
One of the objectives of the XIth Inter- American Red Cross Conference held in Rio de Janeiro from 3 to 8 June, at the invitation of the Brazilian Red Cross, was to encourage the development of National Red Cross Societies according to the realities of each population. During these five days, about a hundred leading members of 22 National Societies from North and South America, the League and the ICRC exchanged views on the future of the movement in this part of the world in the light of present needs. Among the many topics discussed were disaster relief, health and social welfare, young people, information and public relations.
The conference closed with the adoption of the general outline of a plan of action to be used in coming years as a guide for the National Societies of this area and the two international Red Cross organizations.
Finally, the conference made an appeal concerning the conflict currently raging in Nicaragua.
The next Inter-American Conference will be held in Costa Rica in four years' time.
BANGLADESH-PAKISTAN: THE ICRC TAKES PART IN THE REPATRIATION OF BIHARIS
Two delegates from the ICRC Central Tracing Agency have been in Dacca since mid-June, helping in the repatriation to Pakistan of some 17,000 persons of Bihari origin who until now have been living in Bangladesh.
The first ship chartered by the Bangladesh Government left Chittagong on 22 June with 1,800 passengers. Further repatriation will take place by sea and air between now and December.
The ICRC, as a neutral intermediary is giving technical assistance, in particular in check- ing passenger embarkation. The practical and financial arrangements are made by the HCR and the governments involved.
EXERCISE IN THE DISSEMINATION OF HUMANITARIAN LAW IN THE ARMY: A FIRST IN SWITZERLAND
Forty questions on specific. situations related to the law on neutrality and international humanitarian law formed the basis for the theoretical dissemination exercise organized in June by the Swiss army as part of the tactics course for Frontier Brigade 1. Three experts from the ICRC took part in this novel experience which brought together about fifty officers. The situations referred to in the questionnaire had been selected for the likelihood of their occurring in the future or because they had already taken place in the past. The course will no doubt have
exercise led to a lively debate. This course will no doubt have helped to make humanitarian law better known among the officers of the Swiss army.
IN BRIEF,
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The Republic of Korea National Red Cross recently organized a seminar on international humanitarian law and its dissemination. Some 40 participants from various circles (Red Cross Societies, the Government, universi- ties, the press, etc.) called for an increase in efforts to make the law of Geneva better known among all sections of Society.