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Mr Hurd asked if anyone was able to undertake satisfactory relief on the Cambodian side of the border. Mr de Haan said that ICRC were getting limited amounts in, but it was falling into Khmer Rouge hands. He hoped governments would adopt a common approach to the problem, supporting UN humanitarian efforts and working to defuse tension.
Rhodesian Refugees
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Mr Hurd mentioned the recent discussions in Geneva and New York between British and UNHCR officials on return of Rhodesian refugees. Mr de Haan said UNHCR were very ready to help. They had begun to study the problem and were trying to establish such details as exact numbers, location and means of transportation. The former UNHCR Director of Assistance, Mr Abdou Ciss (Senegalese), had been appointed to supervise this operation. UNHCR had a special interest because a great number of Rhodesian refugees had been under their mandate for several years already. They had thought it useful to contact the Patriotic Front to let them know that UNHCR would be prepared to respond to a request for assistance and to hear their views. To this end, Mr de Haan had met Mr Mugabe and a representative of Mr Nkomo in London on 19 November. Their discussions had been useful although only exploratory nothing had been agreed.
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Mr Hurd said that, if there was a settlement, the need for action would become very urgent. Movement of refugees would have to be staged, starting probably with the easiest camps, eg in Botswana, but this would be very sensitive politically. It was hoped that as many as possible would return in time for the elections. He gathered that Mr Hartling thought a joint UNHCR/ICRC programme appropriate. We had also been in touch with the Americans and our EEC partners. Mr Hurd had raised the general subject of reconstruction and rehabili- tation for Rhodesia at the DAC meeting in Paris on 19 November. He had got a good response.
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Mr de Haan asked to what extent the refugee question had been discussed at the Lancaster House Conference and whether it would figure in the final settlement. Mr Hurd asked UND to find out and inform Mr de Haan before he left London (Note: This was done).
Financing of UNHCR
10 Mr de Haan thanked Mr Hurd for the financial support which Britain had given to UNHCR over the past few years, in particular for the substantial sum of £7.2 million in 1979. He hoped this support would continuo. There wore a number of appeals for areas of special interest to the UK, og Uganda.
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