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26. Mr. E. Urmoneit (Federal Republic of Germany) said that Germany had given a resettlement guarantee for all refugees picked up at sea by ships flying the flag of the Federal Republic. With regard to persons rescued by vessels flying flags of convenience, the Federal Republic preferred to consider assisting on a case-by-case basis.
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27. Mr. S. Palmer (Permanent Mission of the USA), complimenting Belgium on its initiative to provide 200 visas for purposes of disembarkation, said that since the August meeting on resuce at
sea,
his Government had been considering the possibility of contributing to a pool of guarantees. He referred to the difficulties encountered by UHCR in obtaining disembarkation when no resettlement guarantees were available. The United States believed that UNHCR should have at its disposal at least 2,000 guaranteed places. If other countries could follow the Belgian example and together guarantee 1,500 places, the United States would be prepared to reserve 500 places for that programme Speaking of the surveillance activities of the US 7th Fleet and navy aircraft, Mr. Palmer said that approximately 700 persons had been picked up by ships of the Fleet and more than 1,000 other lives had been saved by ships of other nations being directed to boats in distress. Mr. Palmer described briefly the methods used by US navy aircraft to reach persons in distress and to direct vessels to their aid.
28. Mr. P. Chapatte (Switzerland) referred to the resettlement guarantee. given by Switzerland following rescue at sea by a vessel owned by a Swiss company and flying a Liberian flag.
29. The Deputy High Commissioner observed that there was clearly a willing- ness on the part of some countries to try to establish a "pool", and said that the Resettlement Section would contact governments on the matter in the coming weeks.
TRANSPORTATION OF REFUGEES
30. Ir. P. Jarrell (ICE) reported that in September over 23,000 persons had been moved from South-East Asia by ICEM, and movements should continue at a similar level in the current month.
31. Mr. S. Palmer (Permanent Mission of the USA) suggested that efforts might be made to standardize procedures for moving refugees and displaced persons to departure points in the various countries of temporary asylum. Procedures were often cumbersome and needed to be simplified and stream- lined in the interests of a more efficient operation.
32. Mr. 0. Opdahl (Norway) said he appreciated the pressures under which UNHCR staff worked in the field. However, his Government was concerned at the often very short notice given of the arrival in Norway of refugees rescued by Norvegian flag vessels. Secondly, lie wished to emphasise that acceptance of refugees was entirely a government concern and that the role of the voluntary agencies should be limited to questions of reception and integration. He would expand upon these views in private discussion with
the Secretariat.
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