Speech #980101240

The U.S. Mission and A.I.D. should become more involved in longer term development planning and support. A third refugee program now emergingLadino refugees from Nicaraguawill likely require particular attention in the days ahead. both in terms of preparations for a potential influx of refugees. and in assuring that relief assistance is used only for humanitarian purposes. 2. Protection of Salvadoran refugees.-The United States should continue to express to Honduran authorities our strong support for the UNHCRs efforts to provide protection to Salvadoran refugees. This involves not only support of the UNHCRs presence in the camps. but also at the borders. Particular attention should be paid to protecting refugees at Colomoncagua. if it is necessary to move this camp for security reasons. better planning and support will be necessary to avoid the problems of the earlier move of Salvadorans from the La Virtud camp to Mesa Grande. Also. if the Salvadoran refugees at Colomoncagua must be relocated from the border. the UNHCRs concerns over freedom of movement should be dealt with. 3. Support UNHCR seminars for Honduran military.-We should continue our support of the special seminars that UNHCR has conducted with the Honduran army on the Refugee Conventions guidelines on the treatment of refugees. There is every indication that they have had some positive effect on the ability of UNHCR to protect refugees in Honduras. especially towards arriving Salvadoran and Guatemalan refugeesas evidenced ai wiat. could have become a dangerous incident at the El Tesoro refugee camp for Guatemalans. When the military arrested 18 camp residents. the Honduran army attempted to adhere to the UNHCR guidelines and sought the involvment of UNHCR officials. Guatemala 1.