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ANNEX A
RHODESIAN REFUGEES
1. within the past 18 months the number of African refugees leaving Rhodesia has shown a dramatic increase. No reliable estimates are how available of the numbers of Rhodesian refugees now encamped in neighbouring African countries, but according to the UNHCR there are at least 28,000 in Mozambique and considerable numbers in Zambia and Botswana. The problem of Rhodesian refugees has recently been highlighted by an attack by the Rhodesian security forces on a camp occupied by Rhodesian Africans in Mozambique. This resulted in the death of between 300 (the Rhodesian estimate) and 700/1,000 (the Mozambican/UNHCR estimate) Rhodesian Africans. The regime in Salisbury have since claimed that these concerned were guerrillas under training; Mozambique and the UNHCR say that they were refugees. An accurate picture of what actually happened and of the numbers killed may never emerge but HMG have made it quite clear that they see no reason to doubt the UNHCR account; and to back up their condemnation of the Rhodesian attack they have agreed, subject to the consent of Farliament, to provide up to £100,000 to the UNHCR by way of a special contribution for the needs of Rhodesian refugees in Mozambique.
2.
Although this offer of assistance may serve to head off some criticism of HMG's apparent unwillingness to involve themselves more closely in the problem of Rhodesian refugees it is likely that there will be mounting pressure on HMG in the coming months both to involve themselves more directly with the problem and to make substantial financial contributions to alleviate the suffering of those concerned. The main points to be made in an answer to this criticism/pressure
are:
i)
ii)
HMG remains in close contact with the UNHCR on this problem both at the UNHCR headquarters and in the field. We shall continue to liaise closely with the UNHCR, whose co-operation and assistance we greatly appreciate.
we believe that the best prospect of alleviating the suffering of those Rhodesians who have sought refuge in Mozambique is to press on in the search for an early settlement in Rhodesia.
Rhodesians in the UK
Attempts have been made, and may be made again, to claim that Rhodesians who have come to the UK to seek study grants (and have not so far got them) are refugees. We have resisted this argument.
Rhodesians in prison in Zambia
At various times, attempts have also been made to get Rhodesians detained in Zambia designated as refugees. In 1974 HMG arranged to bring 42 Rhodesians imprisoned in Zambia to the UK where they were given educational awards. There are still a number of Rhodesians detained in Zambia, including those who are awaiting trial for the murder of Herbert Chitepo the nationalist leader, but we do not regard them as refugees. In our view it would be inappropriate in any case for the UNHCR to involve itself in what is essentially an internal matter for the Zambian authorities.
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