Speech #970093025

Mr. President. I was gratified to learn this morning that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 1981. It is an honor and recognition that is richly deserved. Over the past two decades. I have closely followed the work of the High Commissioner. In this period. the office has become a lifeline for millions of refugees throughout the world. Its humanitarian work and its viligant protection of refugeesin Africa. in Bangladesh. in Southeast Asia. in Chile. and Argentina. in Pakistanhave literally meant the difference between life and death for countless men. women. and children in every region of the globe. The citation accompanying the Nobel Peace Prize recognizes the vital humanitarian service of the UNHCR. It specifically notes the important role of the UNHCR in galvanizing international assistance to alleviate one of the most compelling refugee crises in recent yearsthe tragedy of the Vietnamese boat people. In its statement. the Nobel Committee also emphasized that "in many parts of the world we witness enormous and growing numbers of refugees." The committee appealed to governments to insure that "people are not compelled to save their lives by escaping from their native lands with no prospect of ever returning." And it affirmed that "refugees who dare not return * * * must be given the opportunity to start a fresh life in their host country." In addition to the UNHCRs role in marshalling support for the Indochinese refugee crisis. this year also saw the first international conference on African refugees--convened last April in Geneva under UNHCR auspices. It was the first successful comprehensive effort to address the needs of Africas 5 million refugees. I join with others in congratulating the UNHCR for this welldeserved honor. And I commend two individuals who led the Office during the period cited by the committeePoul Hartling. the High Commissioner for Refugees. and Dale DeHaan. until recently the Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees. Many of us in the Senate have firsthand knowledge of the work of Mr. DeHaan. who served for many years as chief counsel of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Refugees. He has been a valued counselor to us on refugee and humanitarian issues. He played a key role in the UNHCRs activity in Indochina. particularly in negotiating the "orderly departure agreement" between the UNHCR and the Vietnamese Government. He also directed the work of the UNHCR in organizing the Geneva conference on refugees in Africa. The dedicated work of the Office of the High Commissioner is a beacon of compassion and commitment that has brought hope to millions throughout the world. The Nobel Peace Prize is a fitting tribute to the excellence of their work and to the quality of their commitment that is needed more than ever in the world today.