TNAG-0587-FCO40-720-Aid-from-UK-for-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 96

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BRI FOR THE UK DELEGATION TO THE 27TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 4-12 OCTOBER 1976

UK AIMS

1.

Her Majesty's Government are always concerned about the problems facing refugees and regard the Office of the High Commissioner as an outstanding example of the way in which an international humanitarian organisation should function. Our main concern therefore is that the Office should continue to operate effectively within its mandate and that the High Commissioner should continue to undertake special operations within his "good offices".

But

2. Although we give the Office our full support, we should not hesitate to criticise constructively either its proposals or the management of the Office. Our policies and criticisms arise from a careful study of the problems facing refugees and such counter proposals as we make are in our view in the interests of the refugees. We consider it vital for refugees to become integrated into the community in which they find themselves and that they should not be regarded by host countries as permanent lodgers for whom they have no responsibility. on grounds of cost and avoidance of duplication we would oppose any tendency of the High Commissioner to involve himself in elaborate development programmes which would more properly fall within the terms of reference of other United Nations bodies. At the same time we should encourage his Office to consult as closely as possible with UNDRO and where appropriate to make use of the co-ordinating mechanism provided by that body when his Office is involved with other UN organs in emergency humanitarian relief operations.

POINTS TO MAKE

3.

are:

a)

The items on the provisional agenda on which we have points to make

Item 1: Election of Officers

The delegation may speak and vote at their discretion. The meeting last year had a Nigerian Chairman and an American the previous year. A European Chairman this year would be acceptable with the other officers appointed to take account of as much a geographical spread as possible. There was some criticism on this latter point three years ago and careful attention should be given to it.

b) Item 2: Adoption of the Agenda (A/AC.96/524)

c)

We have no comments on the provisional agenda. The delegation may support its adoption. Instructions will be sent separately to the delegation about the Algerian proposal for the addition of an item on the agenda concerning refugees in the Western Sahara.

Item 3: Statement by the High Commissioner and General Debate

The High Commissioner's statement will be followed by speeches by other delegates. [The UK's statement will be prepared by the UK delegation and the text will be included in the Report of the 27th Session.] The debate may touch on items already included in the Annexes to this brief which the delegation may draw on as necessary.

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/ a)