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(see for example xix-xxi in document 577). He is certainly unhappy about any new overview mechanism.
44.
The Canadians have identified the following principal areas of business before the Executive Committee:-
(a) Protection: (b) Resettlement: (c) Assistance: (d) Administration and Finance: (e) Durable Solutions: (f) The role of the Executive Committee and co-ordination.
5. An expert group has been set up amongst the donors to consider these issues. We have pointed out that the traditional agenda in document A/AC.96/575 is not
It makes no mention of very useful.
This year there is likely
resettlement, management or co-ordination. to be particular interest in UNHCR matters in the UN General Assembly. The FRG ideas for a new refugee agenda item are relevant. We have therefore argued that at the very least this Executive Committee should seek to put down some markers.
Possible Controversies
6. The document to supplement 577 (not yet received) proposing a programme for Sahara "refugees" in Algeria will cause problems with
We have also learnt that Tanzania may Morocco (see UKMIS Telno 407). propose that next year's Executive Committee be held in Arusha and that meetings be held outside Geneva every other year: I assume you would wish us to resist this.
Protection
7. In his letter of 12 September to Caroline Anderson, David Snoxell drew attention to the three papers before the Committee and its Sub- Committee. The main one (579) makes the usual plea for asylum to be granted more liberally and as David said there are Hong Kong implica- tions. A second paper urges in effect that refugees should not be extradited and we assume Roy McDowall will cover this point either by coming here in person or with a detailed brief for ourselves and Weis. The third paper preaches the advantages of voluntary repatriatic even (presumably) in places like Cambodia.
8. The Canadians and perhaps the Austrians may seek to make the point in Committee that the UNHCR Protection Division should concentrate more
For example, it on developing countries rather than on the Europeans.
suggested that the Division should encourage third world countries
There is even a feeling among to draw up legislation on refugees. some Missions that the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol are out of date (I imagine we should resist any moves to revise them).
is
9. The Australians say that they have submitted to certain governmen
We have a memorandum on their initiative regarding temporary refuge.
Wha asked for a copy. Their thinking is only at a preliminary stage. they seem to favour is the preparation of an international instrument which would be easy enough for non-signatories of the existing instruments (such as Malaysia) to sign and which would offer a half-wa house between asylum and refoulement. First asylum countries would apparently grant refugees legal status for a fixed time limit while
It would be useful they looked for permanent resettlement elsewhere. Have a preliminary UK reaction to this.
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/Resettlement