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old or infirm with no family to support them. In previous years it has provided some scholarships and vocational training funds to enable the younger members of the Cuban group to make themselves economically self-sufficient. The local UNHCR representative is very
aware of the need to break the so-called dependency syndrome.
3.
The Central European refugees are the remnants of those who came to Peru at the end of the Second World War. There are probably many more than the 157 now registered but they largely manage to look after themselves; the number of registered refugees in this group has increased slowly as they become older and lose family support or the ability to maintain themselves. Of the 8,000 Chileans who have come to Peru since the fall of the Allende regime in 1973, all but 19 have been resettled elsewhere. The Iranians are all Ba'hais and although registered as refugees require no assistance.
4. The UNHCR office seem to take an extremely realistic view of the plight of the various national groups registered with them. They provide assistance only where it is absolutely essential and are well aware of the dangers of the dependency syndrome. Their relations with the Peruvian Government are good and the latter are generally cooperative in providing identity documentation etc to the refugees. The Government, however, have made it clear that with the economic and security problems which they face at present, Peru is unlikely to give a welcome to any further refugees who might try to come here.
Yous over
Bob Rays
Bob Rayner
Second Secretary
(Chancery and Information)
CC:
CRL de Chassiron, SAMD
CONFIDENTIAL