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to have back those who wished to come and whose Saharan origin could be proved. A solution was worked out behind-the-scenes by the Chairman, under which the High Commissioner said that he had agreed to an Algerian request to send a technical mission which would take the opportunity to discuss with the Algerians arrangements for a permanent UNHCR presence there and moves towards solving the question of the refugees in the Tindouf. Both sides agreed. There was general relief as Morocco had earlier indicated that they might be prepared to press their case in a way that one side would have to call for a vote, a most unwelcome precedent in the traditional agreement by consensus ExCom.
31. The Somali chapter prompted a brief skirmish when Ethiopia alleged that the number of refugees claimed by Somalia was larger than the population of the area from which they were supposed to have come. The size of the Somali refugee population is a sensitive subject (unofficial estimates are that Somalia is claiming assistance for far more refugees than she is harbouring) but the Somali Delegate responded with a hard-line statement on the economic pressure which refugees imposed on his country.
32. The UK made a statement on Hong Kong (text at Annex V) pointing out that Hong Kong now accommodated the largest group of "boat people" in first asylum countries in the region. Hong Kong's exemplary record in accepting Vietnamese refugees was in no doubt but the territory was small and overcrowded and could take no more. The resettlement countries were thanked for their past efforts but urged not to relax and to bear in mind especially those refugees in Hong Kong who had been there for a considerable time.
33.
Under their chapter Iran repeated a claim for assistance to 100,000 Iraqi refugees. Iraq responded by saying that these
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