TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 124

CONFIDENTIAL

E: GUATEMALA

There are only around 260 refugees within the country. are approximately 40,000 Guatemalan refugees in Mexico.

However there

F:

BELIZE

Belize has a good record of accepting refugees. There are approximately 4,400 refugees from El Salvador in Belize. They are a domestically sensitive issue. The Home Affairs Minister in 1985 put the number of illegal aliens in Belize at 47,000 (although all other estimates are closer to 17,000) and these are widely blamed for the crime rate and unemployment levels. The high hispanic influx also disturbs Belize's delicate ethnic balance. Some illegal aliens are alleged to be involved

in the drug trade in Belize.

G: MEXICO

UNHCR, through the Mexican Commission for Aid to Refugees (COMAR) provides assistance to some 40,000 Guatemalan refugees in Mexico. For security reasons the Mexican Government in 1984 embarked on a relocation programme to take the refugees from camps in the southern state of Chiapas, close to the border with Guatemala, to Campeche and Quintana Roo in the Yucatan peninsula. However, over half of the refugees are still in Chiapas. They are unwilling to be relocated; the possibility that further relocation may be forced cannot be discounted.

H: PANAMA

There are approximately 1,100 refugees in Panama. The majority are Salvadoreans, in Panama City and in Cuidad Romero in the north.

UNHCR

Honduras

UNHCR efforts within the area appear effective. Their presence is generally appreciated and relations with Governments are good. is not a signatory to either the 1951 UN Convention on refugees, or the 1967 Protocol, but this has not significantly hampered UNHCR's ability to operate there.

MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA DEPARTMENT

30 September 1986

SB6AEA

CONFIDENTIAL