In the near term. a successful relief effort may well require steps beyond those already taken. The continued presence of Republican Guard units north of the 36th parallel is one of the most immediate sources of concern. The presence of such units can undermine efforts to build any sense of confidence among the refugees or to provide for the security of relief personnel. As long as these units can remain in the region. even if we take no overt action. we may have trouble persuading the Kurds to relocate far enough away from the Turkish border down to areas where food and medical care and some kind of shelter can be provided. Certainly. if our plan is one day soon to have the Kurds leave the encampments we are now building and return to their dwellings in Iraq. it is hard to realize their agreeing to do so if it means passing through the ranks of their worst. most feared enemies.
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refugees