TNAG-0793-FCO40-997-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 144

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UNITED KINGDOM DELEGATION REPORT ON THE 29TH SESSION OF THE UNHCR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. The 29th Session of the Executive Committee of the Progr:unme

of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was held in

Geneva from 9-17 October 1978. The United Kingdom delegation was

led by Mr Bryan Gould MP. The Sub-Committee of the Whole on

International Protection, at which Mr R McDowall of the Home

Office and Dr P Weis represented the UK, met the Friday before

the Session started, ie on 6 October. The official report of the

Session is contained in document A/AC.96/559 and of the Sub-

Committee in A/AC.96/558.

Election of Officers and Agenda

2. Ambassador Jay (Canada) was elected Chairman, Mr Mohammed

(Nigeria) Vice-Chairman and Mr Griffin (Venezuela) Rapporteur.

Ambassador Jay proved to be an excellent choice. His intelligent

and firm handling of the meeting and his determination to keep

out political issues ensured smooth and speedy progress through

the agenda, so much so that the report containing the

conclusions and decisions was adopted in record time - under an

Mr Mohammed was fortunately not given the opportunity of

taking the chair.

hour.

High Commissioner's Statement

3. In his first statement to the Executive Committee as High

Commissioner, Mr Hartling delivered a wide ranging survey of the

work and problems dealt with by his Office. He permitted himself

one mildly political comment to the effect that the increase and

the scope of UNHCR's work was in itself a commentary on the

capacity of nations to deal seriously with issues that cause

refugee problems. He referred to his tours in Southern Africa,

/Europe

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