TNAG-1543-FCO40-2107-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 12

II.

GENERAL DEBATE

(Item 4 of the agenda)

21. Speakers extended their congratulations to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur upon their election and expressed confidence in the positive contributions they would make to the success of the session. These speakers also paid tribute to the outgoing Chairman, Mr. Chiba, and complimented him on his successful conduct of the affairs of the Committee during the past year.

22.

A number of speakers welcomed the assumption of office of the High Commissioner, Mr. Jean-Pierre Hocké, recalled his long experience in the humanitarian arena and commended the energy and vigour with which he had embarked upon his functions. All speakers expressed appreciation of the High Commissioner's opening statement and the manner in which he had depicted the issues which were before the Committee. Some delegates felt that while they agreed with large parts of the statement, other portions remained to be discussed further. Several speakers referred positively to the High Commissioner's recent visits to their countries.

23. A large number of speakers reaffirmed their commitment to UNHCR as a reflection of their commitment to resolving the problems of the world's refugees. Delegations pledged the continued support of their Governments to UNHCR in meeting the challenges of protecting, assisting and finding durable solutions for refugees. Countries of first asylum, in the view of many speakers, particularly

A number of required the benefit of international solidarity and assistance. developing countries had generously extended asylum to refugees, but this could not be construed as reflecting their ability to continue acting as hosts to significant numbers of refugees. They required additional assistance from the international community, particularly in redressing the negative impact of the presence of large numbers of refugees on their inherently fragile basic socio-economic infrastructure. One speaker stressed that those who had given the High Commissioner his mandate needed to be generous with their resources and their commitment to humanity, in their own best traditions.

24. Many delegations saw grounds for optimism in the present situation and in the High Commissioner's approach to major refugee problems. One speaker, however, mentioned that the horizon ahead gave cause for concern. A number of speakers endorsed the High Commissioner's prescription that UNHCR should seek to be effective, neutral and efficient. One delegate felt that given the tendency in the United Nations towards ineffective resolutions, the activities of organizations like UNHCR, which have a record of tangible success, should be the focus of all United Nations action. One observer urged the High Commissioner to raise, on purely humanitarian grounds, the issue of displaced persons in the United Nations General Assembly.

25. Some delegates welcomed the High Commissioner's description of the role of the Executive Committee and his own responsibility in this regard. Virtually all speakers stressed the vital importance of close co-operation between UNHCR and Governments and the pivotal role of the Executive Committee. One delegation spoke of the need to streamline the process of dialogue and systematically address specific issues. A number of delegations expressed the hope that this session of the Executive Committee would produce positive results.

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