TNAG-1529-FCO40-2093-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1986 — Page 143

Although these agreements seldom induced political settlements

of conflicts, it would be wrong to minimise their importance

for bringing about peace.

Some agreements of this type have been achieved in the Kampuchean

conflict. Some could be worked out in the future if the parties

involved. agreed.

At this stage, I would like to underline that ICRC is not the

only organisations which can help to find solutions to the

prevailing humanitarian problems. Each humanitarian organisation

and agency has its own specific ways and means which may also

help. In order to succeed in our humanitarian efforts however,

we should remind ourselves of two principles: we are not

political negotiators and we have to stick each to our ownTM

mandate and traditions in order to be credible.

We have seen that humanitarian actions alone cannot claim to

provide de ́initive solut ns to the problems which are at the

source of conflicts. These problems are political and thus

outside the humanitarian terms of reference. Since States

have the power to wage war, peace can be ensured only by

settlements among themselves. With them lies the obligation

to find long term and durable solutions.

Too many situations drag on which are quite unacceptable from

the humanitarian point of view.

Moreover,

With regard to this, ICRC is entitled to demand from all parties

in conflict respect for the rules of Humanitarian Law.

ICRC has to ask all governments who are in a position to influence

a conflict to integrate the solution of humanitarian problems

into their political decisions.

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