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United Kingdom Mission
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Telegrams Prodrome Geneva Telephone 34 38 00 33 23 85
T Trevan Esq
United Nations Department
FCO
pl
RAR
SCORRE
Dear
Tim,
UNHCR: INFORMAL EXCOM: 31 JANUARY 1986
Esp panik: have we of ownis recothed
Whis
meeting to que?
they
Your reference
Сег
24/2
Our reference
Date
UN 243/5
19 February 1986
MICK 243/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 5 FEB 1986
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
INDEX
РА
Action Taken
Summary
1.
UNHCR's financial situation and the possible need to reconsider the definition of a refugee and UNHCR's mendete were the main topics to encrge, closely followed by the need to strengthen UNIICR's field operations and streamline headquarters. It was agreed that a Working Group, to report to the June informal EXCOM, should be set up to consider the question of EXCON documentation.
Detail
2.
Lost Mother States spole after lc Hig Comissioner's address. The High Comincioner then summarised an answered specific points. I deal below with the main points raised in the High Commissioner's address, by subject.
3. I enclose
(a) a copy of Mr de hello's letter of 20 January (received aflor the informal ECCH) and ils fivc enclosures (including the salicut points of the High Com issioner's address);
(b) a copy of the High Commissioner's address;
(c)
a copy of the Australian statement;
(a) a copy of the US atrtemoni; and
(e) a copy of the UN statement.
Lefinition
4. The High Commissioner, in his address, informed us that the definition of the early 1950s no longer took account of today's situation: a flexible attitude was needed. This was an obvious reference to the problem now faced by UNIICR in the Horn of Africa where they have been obliged to accept responsibility for "non- mandate" refugees in the absence of any other U body able to do so. Mr Hocké maintained that the legal definition could become an escape clause and this was not in the best long-term interest of any government. There were grey areas and a new codification may therefore be necessary in time, though not necessarily this year.
15.
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