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to us (and other resettlement countries) last July asking us to take more refugees. The Home Secretary sees no prospect of this. We would like to see a new multilateral approach to the problem, to point out the difficulties caused by the exodus and increase the orderly departure programme from Vietnam, and to find new opportunities for resettlement.
CAMBODIANS IN THAILAND
4. UNHCR have been trying without success to establish an administrative channel for Cambodian refugees in border areas who wish to go home from Thailand. Many refugees trapped in recent fighting.
AFGHAN REFUGEES
5.
Pakistan claims to have 2.5 to 3 million Afghan refugees on its soil. There are perhaps a further 500,000 in Iran. Britain has given £10m since 1980, including £1.7m announced by
Mr Raison on 21 March. In late 1981 Pakistan showed some interest in a special pledging conference on refugees, but it has not pursued the idea because it is reluctant to enhance the refugees' political status.
6. Hartling resisted Cordovez' wish to involve UNHCR in consulting refugee leaders about UN mediation efforts. Indirect talks between Karmal regime and Pakistan now taking place in Geneva.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ASSISTANCE TO REFUGEES IN AFRICA (ICARA) 7. More than 5 million refugees in Africa. ICARA I in 1981 raised pledges totalling US$574m but African countries disappointed. ICARA II now scheduled for 1984. We hope it will concentrate on reviewing the results of ICARA I and seeking long-term solution to refugee problems. Further large pledges of cash unlikely to be forthcoming.
United Nations Department
12 April 1983
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