TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 30

CONFIDENTIAL

1

which reaffirms the civilian and humanitarian nature of

refugee camps and condemnɔ̃ military attacks on them).

The West, in particular the US and the Netherlands,

wanted to leave open the possibility of taking

retaliatory action against refugee camps if it could be

shown that people living there were involved in

terrorist activities. Countries of asylum such as

Tanzania, on the other hand, felt that there could

never be any justification for an attack on a refugee

UNHCR had access to them and would see for

themselves whether any illegal activities were taking

place.

camp.

6. In July 1986, the Group of 5 host countries

involved in this exercise (Tanzania, Nigeria, Sudan,

Thailand and Algeria) drafted the two draft conclusions

attached at Annex A, which to them represented a sound

but minimal basis for discussion. We are content with

these but should prefer to amend draft Conclusion No 1

(Annex B gives details). However, while the

Australians, Japanese and Swiss are also content with

the conclusions as amended by the UK, the USA sees no

hope for constructive action on the two conclusions.

They consider existing international law adequate,

especially the Fourth Geneva Convention, and that the

rights of protection of refugees are well-defined in

existing doctrine and law. Their concern is that the

draft Conclusions could undermine existing law, such as

CONFIDENTIAL

Page 30Page 31