91.
A number of speakers alluded to the problem of Afghan refugees and expressed the view that voluntary repatriation was the only solution to their plight. Two speakers described the specific situation of Afghan refugees in their countries. Another speaker, describing the problems of Afghan refugees, pointed out that three fourths of the world's refugees were Muslims.
92.
One speaker expressed appreciation of the dedicated efforts of the High Commissioner and his staff in Lebanon and hoped that these efforts would be maintained and amplified in relation to the events in the country. Another spoke of the situation in Cyprus and UNHCR's work in that country and expressed the view that the voluntary return of the 200,000 Cypriot refugees to their homes was the only durable solution to their plight. One observer described current attempts to draft an Arab Refugee Convention.
93.
Referring to the problem of Palestine refugees in the region, one delegate pointed out that the United Nations had created the problem and should be responsible for its resolution.
94.
One speaker sought closer and more intensified co-operation between UNHCR and the Government of Iran for the refugee programme in that country, particularly in respect of long-term self-sufficiency activities. He alluded to the situation of non-Afghan refugees in that country whose needs he felt should not be overlooked. An observer delegation took the floor to deny the existence of the refugee group in question.
95.
One speaker referred to the problem of the Sahrawi refugees in Algeria and stressed the importance of providing adequate assistance measures, particularly in order to promote self-sufficiency until such time as voluntary repatriation was possible. A later speaker contested the figures provided and the status of the persons in the camps in Tindouf. He urged that a census be conducted among that group and that the persons concerned be given the opportunity to pronounce themselves freely on their possible return in dignity and security with all the guarantees that the High Commissioner could demand and to which Morocco was prepared to subscribe. Exercising the right of reply, the first speaker reaffirmed the refugee character and the number of Sahrawi refugees in his country which totalled 165,000; referring to the guarantees offered by the other delegation, urged it to implement resolution 104 of the Organization of African Unity and relevant United Nations General Assembly resolutions; and recalled that assistance to this group has been inscribed in the General Programmes of UNHCR since 1980. Replying to his statement, the first speaker expressed surprise that his original statement, which did not name any specific country, should have provoked a right of reply, and urged the Executive Committee to confine itself to the humanitarian issues before it.
96.
The Moroccan delegation expressed a reservation in respect of the programme for persons in the Tindouf camps in Algeria. The Algerian delegation welcomed the continuing progress in the implementation of this programme.
97.
G. Reorganization of UNHCR/administrative issues
(Items 4, 6 and 8 (b) of the agenda)
Introducing agenda item 8 (b), the Deputy High Commissioner expressed gratitude for the general support he had heard for UNHCR's restructuring and the constructive suggestions made in this regard. He noted that the major portion of
the increases
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