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of the International Protection Sub-Commission. They
argue that the US line was not sufficient argument for
suspending the issue, particularly in a year when the
South African government had flouted international law
(19 May 1986 raid on the Makeni refugee camp near
Lusaka). They cannot understand why the US did not
make their position clear 5 years ago rather than
leaving it until now to do so, when South African
attacks on refugee attacks are prevalent.
9. Mr Vieira de Mello of UNHCR asked whether the UK
would be prepared to persuade the US to take a less
uncompromising line. We do not consider that we should
be likely to achieve this and therefore, as we have
only peripheral interest in the issue, see no merit in
taking such action.
10.
Reference C gives the political/military
background.
REFERENCES
A
B
C
1
Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949
Statute of the Office of UNHCR
A/AC.96/680: Note on International
Protection (paragraphs 34-46)
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