CONFIDENTIAL
37TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF UNHCR
Brief 1: Steering Brief
Introduction
1.
The annual meeting of the UNHCR Executive Committee will take place from 6-13 October in Geneva. It will be preceded, as usual, by meetings of two sub-committees (protection, 30 September 1 October; finance and administration, 1-2 October). members of the Committee; its functions are to determine the general policies under which the UNHCR plans, develops and administers refugee projects and programmes, and to advise the High Commissioner, at his request, on the discharge of his duties. It approves the use of UNHCR funds and reviews UNHCR programmes and projects.
2. This is M Hocke's first Executive Committee as
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High Commissioner. He will doubtless wish to outline his views on future UNHCR activities and structure. Indications so far are that he takes a more political approach than his predecessors ie looking at root causes as much as current refugee problems. His wholesale staff changes and structural overhaul appear to have alienated some members of his staff; it remains to be seen whether they will be operatively effective.
3.
Funding for UNHCR operational activities remains below the level of programmes considered necessary by the UNHCR to fulfil his mandate. UNHCR will be looking for pledges, during the Committee, of $137.9 million to fund the 1986 General Programmes budget of $306.9 million, and $23.9 million to fund the Africa Emergency Programmes budget of $169 million. It remains uncertain that the Organisation will be donated the level of funding it would like.
4.
Refugees are becoming an increasingly political and topical issue, with implications for domestic politics in Europe as well as for stability and economic progress in Africa and Asia. Main issues of concern to UK this year are likely to be detention (with reference to UK practice and Hong Kong camps) and limiting the flow of 'economic migrants' and 'irregular movements'.
UK Interests and Policies
5. The plights of refugees is not only a humanitarian issue but politically and economically disruptive. The UK has a strong interest in making UNHCR an effective organisation. We look to UNHCR to take a leading role in finding practical solutions to refugee problems.
6. EXCOM provides an opportunity to reiterate our interest in refugee issues to make known our views on the organisation and operation of UNHCR and to exchange views with other interested governments on durable solutions to existing refugee problems and prevention of abuses.
U57AAN
CONFIDENTIAL