EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE PROGRAMME OF THE Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµITED NATIONS

HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES

Fiftieth session

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 537th MEETING

Held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva,

on Tuesday, 5 October 1999, at 3 p.m.

Chairman:  Mr. PEREZ-HERNANDEZ  (Spain)

CONTENTS

ANNUAL THEME:  STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP TO ENSURE PROTECTION, ALSO IN RELATION TO SECURITY (continued)

The meeting was called to order at 3.10 p.m.

ANNUAL THEME:  STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIP TO ENSURE PROTECTION, ALSO IN RELATION TO SECURITY (A/AC.96/923) (continued)

/…

52.  Mr. SARRA (Observer for the Syrian Arab Republic) said that the refugee problem was a humanitarian issue with political and geographical dimensions which required solutions based on cooperation and on Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR efforts.  He thanked Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR for establishing the Al-Hol camp, where thousands of Iraqi refugees were still living, and for the material assistance and aid in voluntary repatriation that Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR had provided for refugees living in towns.  He welcomed the cooperation between Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR and the Federation of Arab Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.  The presence of a large number of Palestinian refugees under Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµWRA responsibility was a heavy burden for Syria.  He reaffirmed Syria’s full support for Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR as it carried out its noble mission.

The meeting rose at 5.30 p.m.


Document symbol:
Document Type: Summary record
Document Sources: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµHCR)
Subject: Refugees and displaced persons
Publication Date: 21/12/1999