CONFIDENTIAL

-

Durable Solutions

15. Despite the thorough analysis by the working group in document 582

The main question is whether it looks as though this subject is dead.

We will need to ask UNHCR whether there we bury it this year or next. are any projects put forward by potential recipients and any contribution

As far as I know the answer to both offered by potential donors.

The Americans are still without instructions questions is negative. from Washington. As you know, they started this idea last year with the offer to contribute at least $20 million if other recipients match this on a ratio of 7:3. I assume we must make clear that there We can point to the fact that we are major is no UK money available. contributors to the general programme, only just being pipped from

But you may fourth place by Sweden and way above France and Canada. think that it would be tactless to kill off the idea this year and that some formula should be found to keep the question under review until 1981.

The Role of the Executive Committee

16.

We are all agreed that the Executive Committee should contribute more to the general overview of refugee and emergency situations and in particular to discussion of these at the UN General Assembly. However

At the moment the Committee is more few of us have any specific ideas. advisory than executive with the UNHCR Secretariat drafting all the

This has advantages since it conclusions and decisions in the report. prevents the Africans for example tabling normal UN-type resolutions on South Africa. But I think we must do more to pep up the Committee's report.

17. We shall require instructions on the 1979 Canadian idea (which they will resuscitate) of a Sub-Committee on administration and finance akin to the present Sub-Committee on protection. Hartling is not keen on this nor on the alternative idea of a second Executive Committee meeting each year. Our own view in this Mission is that it would be better to have a separate administration and finance item on the main agenda and to earmark at least half a day for discussion in the Committee's Plenary. But if there is a ground swell in favour of the Canadian idea we should go along with it provided extra costs are minimal.

cc:

V McGee Esq, UND(B), ODA

R McDowall Esq, Home Office

MI Goulding Esq, UKMIS, NEW YORK

I C Orr Esq, HONG KONG

You

ever

Keith Holmer.

KG MacInnes

Share This Page