of the organizations which is most representative of the solidarity which is the very essence of the Charter of the United Nations. He welcomed the newly elected High Commissioner and sought the Committee's support to ensure that the High Commissioner's reorganization initiatives bear fruit.
14.
In referring to the financing of UNHCR programmes, the Chairman pointed out that only 66 Member States of the United Nations had so far in 1986 contributed to UNHCR; efforts should be made to broaden sources of funding. He also stressed the importance of the granting of asylum. Solidarity was essential not only in terms of material resources but also in trying to resolve refugee problems with courage and clear-sightedness. It was also necessary to strengthen and improve the established legal principles.
15. Much had to be done to combat the tragedy of the "subworld" of refugees. It was agreed that UNHCR should act in an impartial, neutral and objective manner, but this was not enough. The proliferation of conflicts had tended to transform what was originally conceived as a temporary body into a permanent office. The fact that the developing countries were today the main scene of mass and unvoluntary exoduses showed that a great and concerted effort was needed in order to achieve more equity in reducing injustice in the situation of the third world.
If we failed to do so, we shall continue to be the prime producers of refugees. He said that it was essential to continue to strengthen the policy of linking assistance for refugees to support for the communities which receive refugees in third world countries.
16.
The Chairman stated that co-operation between agencies concerned with human displacement should be streamlined and that a system of consultation and information should be organized to detect and prevent involuntary mass movements.
17.
As the first Latin American to preside over the Executive Committee, the Chairman reiterated his faith in the institutions and principles established in his region. Expressing his solidarity with refugees on other continents, the Chairman said that support for countries of first asylum, the connection between refugee assistance and development and a balance between the rights of States and individuals constituted a reaffirmation of the principles of UNHCR.
18. The Chairman expressed great concern over the subject of military attacks. felt that the time had come to make a final, pragmatic and unideological effort through practical measures to ensure the effectivenesss of protection. If a consensus on this subject proved impossible, he was inclined to seek a regional approach. The international community's condemnation of attacks must be unanimous, but above all, viable procedures had to be established in order to enable UNHCR to prevent inappropriate activities in refugee camps.
He
19. In conclusion, the Chairman stressed his conviction that Governments represented in the Committee could do even more to help the cause of refugees throughout the world, in pursuance of the principles of the United Nations in which they had placed their collective trust.
20.
The High Commissioner's opening statement to the Executive Committee is reproduced in the annex to the present report.
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