TNAG-1543-FCO40-2107-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 118

PLAIN MODE

28404

28404

HKGOVT G

HKGOVT G

28404 HKGOVT G

MEMO-TELEX CH

28880 HKGV CH

ZSYNZ

(START CM)36

7 OCTOBER 1986

6766

45

AUC

H

CONFIDENTIAL

FOR DAVID JEAFFRESON,

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY

FROM KEN WOODHOUSE IN GENEVA

COPIED TO DELIA WALKER, UKMIS GENEVA

BEN TANG, HKG OFFICE, LONDON (PLEASE PASS TO LEEKS AT FCO)

UNHCR EXCOM : GENERAL DEBATE : HIGH COMMISSIONER

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER OPENED THE GENERAL DEBATE TODAY (6 OCTOBER). HE FACED UP TO THE ISSUE OF MASS MIGRATION WHICH IS STRETCHING THE 1951 DEFINITION OF REFUGEE

BUT HE CAUTIONED AGAINST BASED ON INDIVIDUAL PERSECUTION.

NEW DEFINITIONS, SUGUESTING INSTEAD A MORE HUMANITARIAN INTERPRETATION OF THE EXISTING DEFINITION.

2. HE THEN POINTED OUT THAT UN RESOLUTIONS AND OAU DEFINITIONS HAD COMPLICATED THE ROLE OF THE UNHCR YET FURTHER AND SAID

THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR RE-EXAMINING MASS MOVEMENTS WAS A MATTER FOR STATES.

HE STRESSED VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION AS THE FIRST

HE

SOLUTION TO THESE MASS MOVEMENTS. HE SAID THAT UNHCR WOULD DEFEND THE RIGHT OF THOSE WHO CHOSE TO REMAIN IN EXILE. SAID THAT THE THREE UNHCR SOLUTIONS (OF LOCAL

SOMEGAANIADESRABETIREMENSYANE) AWERERBELOE@BELEYREMPARCENT.

4

HE ALSO TALKED ABOUT RE-ORGANISATION OF THE UNHCR, FINANCE AND THE ROLE OF VOLOOP.

COPY OF THE SPEECH FOLLOWS BY BAG.

COMMENT

6. THE HIGH COMMISSIONER IS FOLLOWING BASICALLY THE LINE HE TOOK IN HONG KONG NOT TOO KEEN ON A RE-EXAMINATION OF THE 1951 REFUGEE DEFINITION, BUT IF IT IS TO BE DONE, IT MUST BE DONE BY STATES. BUT HE HAS BROUGHT THE ISSUE OUT IN THE OPEN. THIS MIGHT MAKE IT EASIER TO DISCUSS THIS AND OTHER ISSUES IN EXCOM. ITS MARGINS ON THE IGC.

ENDS

1