CODE 18-77
AWO Ltd.
7/84
Reference.....
cases such as the attacks in Southern Africa and the Middle East but in more controversial cases they thought that EXCOM should be more circumspect in condemning attacks. For example EXCOM could only condemn attacks on camps of purely civilian character. They then defended their role in battles with the Khmer Rouge on the border with Thailand. Vietnam agreed in principle to voluntary repatriation as one of the most desirable solutions. However this was only possible if it viewed the country of origin without bitterness. For their part Vietnam viewed refugees from Vietnam with compassion. But it was necessary to take into account both the interests of the host country and the country of origin, especially security aspects, before deciding whether voluntary repatriation would be possible. They reserved the right to make further comments on this at a later stage.
9.
Somalia spoke entirely in terms of the refugee problem in Somalia and the existing UNHCR programmes there.
10. Honduras spoke about the burden on least developed countries posed by refugee problems, their own record in acting as host for 70,000 refugees, the need for both emergency relief assistance and self-sufficiency programmes for refugees, the route causes of refugee flows, and durable solutions.
11.
Ethiopia spoke about the refugee situation in Ethiopia and the need for continued international assistance in their voluntary repatriation programme. "Ethiopia has always been eager for the return of its nationals to their homeland and urge all those concerned to cooperate with us in this noble endeavour". The League of Red Cross Societies was commissioned by UNHCR to conduct a registration programme with respect to all those who fled their normal residence in Ethiopia with a view to identifying those who could be returned. However registration cannot be an end in itself. All those refugees who have been registered should be eligible for immediate assistance by UNHCR. They ended by thanking the international community for all they had done to assist Ethiopia so far.
12. Syria said that everything must be done to change conditions so as to allow voluntary repatriation. They also said that everything must be done to protect refugees' camps from military attack and proceeded to criticise Israel and South Africa for causing refugee flows.
13.
Djibouti stated that it had experienced the problem of refugees ever since its creation as a republic and had at certain stages given refuge to 30,000 people that is 15% of its total population. Voluntary repatriation was the best solution and Djibouti had participated in such a programme in 1984. However Djibouti could not participate in voluntary repatriation programmes unless they had guarantees from UNHCR. With the onset of the
drought in Ethiopia the 1984 repatriation programme had to be halted and it was only now with 18,000 refugees still in Djibouti that they were in a position to restart this voluntary repatriation programme. In this respect they appealed to the international community to show their solidarity with Djibouti by
/offering