Speech #890184547

First let me make some general observations on the activities of the Migration Committee. As we all know. the Migration Committee Is approaching its 15th year. Since it was founded in 1951. it has transported over 1.400.000 persons to oversea countries of resettlement. includ4ng more than 600.000 refugees. This record of accomplishment speaks for itself. It is one of which this Council should be proud. We all recognize that economic developments in Europe since 1951 have necessitated certain adjustments in the program of the committee. However. ICEMs traditional role of providing assistance to refugees continues. in our opinion. to be the fundamental and certainly one of the most important elements in the operations. And. In this connection. I would like to emphasize my countrys concern in the importance of maintaining liberal asylum policies for refugees. and for ICEMs essential role in facilitating the resettlement of refugees out of asylum areas. For some time the U.S. Government. which historically has followed a liberal policy of asylum to refugees. has been deeply concerned about the deterioration of asylum policies in certain areas. We found it particularly significant that the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe at a recent meeting passed a resolution urging governments to adopt a more liberal asylum policy. It is equally significant that the International Council of Voluntary Agencies at a recent conference here In Geneva deemed it necessary to pass a similar resolution. I would emphasize that if the doors of asylum are tightened or closed there will be no need for IEM to seek resettlement opportunities for refugees. nor will there be any need to seek material assistance for such refugees because. without a place of asylum. the future of the refugee is not in the country of asylum but in the country to which he is thrown back. As Dr. Haveman pointed out in his opening statement to the Council. ICEM is the only international organization which has the responsibility for moving European refugees. It is vital that this mechanism be firmly maintained. In connection with ICEMs traditional program on behalf of refugees. I know that this Council will be interested to learn that the new U.S. immigration law which becomes effective today makes permanent provision for the admission of 10.200 refugees annually under a broad definition of refugee. This refugee provision In our basic law is over and above the action which my Government is now taking in granting asylum to many thousands of Cuban refugees. I was very interested in the discussion which took place in this Council on Monday or refugee problems. and particularly gratified to hear the statement of the representative of the Holy See and his announcement of a special contribution to ICEM for the benefit of refugees and family reunion cases. The statement of the representative of Luxembourg regarding fundralsing efforts in his country for the benefit of refugees is a further source of encouragement. My delegation would also like to pay special tribute to the program which is being initiated by Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands. to raise funds to finance the transportation of refugees by ICEM through the issuance of a special stamp bearing the Queens signature. As Mr. Warren informed the Executive Committee last week. we recognize that this action by the Queen of the Netherlands is in the finest tradition of the Netherlands Government. and is just another expression of the concern of the people of the Netherlands for the fate of refugees. My delegation feels that it would be most appropriate if the moneys received from various fundrasing efforts in the private sector were to be established in a special fund known as the Queen Juliana Fund. provided. of course. that this suggestion meets with the approval of the Queen of the Netherlands. The extensive discussion which has taken place during this session dealing with the Directors efforts to improve and expand A1117