Military

DATE=10/05/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / AFGHAN (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-281408

BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN

DATELINE=GENEVA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The head of the United Nations refugee agency is calling on the world's countries to treat asylum seekers not as criminals but as people in need of protection. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the refugee agency chief says long-term solutions must be found to help Afghans and other people fleeing for their lives.

TEXT: The U-N's refugee chief, Ruud Lubbers, says the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States have increased hostility and discrimination toward Afghans and other asylum seekers. He says these attitudes make asylum seekers more vulnerable to smugglers and criminal networks.

He says long-term solutions have to be found to help refugees return home -- or, he says if that is not possible, to resettle them in other countries where they can start a new life.

/// LUBBERS ACT 1 ///

In the solutions, the key word is respect for refugees, the capacity of refugees to become productive and valuable citizens. Especially now after the events of the 11th of September. This remark has to be made because there already is a risk that this feeling, that this is near crime and these are only phony people who become even worse when in programs of resettlement.

/// END ACT ///

Afghans constitute the world's largest refugee population. About four-million are spread around a number of countries. Most are in Pakistan and Iran. They have fled civil war and a devastating drought.

The U-N refugee agency fears another one-point-five-million people may flee Afghanistan if the United States launches military strikes. United Nations aid agencies are preparing for this possibility.

/// OPT /// Mr. Lubbers says he is concerned that Pakistan and Iran have closed their borders to the Afghans.

/// OPT // LUBBERS ACT 2 ///

We are speaking with them about the necessity, if people really cannot stay in Afghanistan, which will be the best of course for us. There has to be an accommodation to that which is in fact allowing people to come in.

/// END ACT // END OPT ///

The United Nations emergency relief operation is well underway. Shelter material, blankets, medicine, food, and other supplies are being flown into Pakistan. They are being pre-positioned in various Central Asian countries bordering Afghanistan.

Mr. Lubbers says his agency is encountering big problems in setting up refugee camps. He says both Pakistan and Iran have chosen what he calls unsuitable sites for the camps.

/// LUBBERS ACT 3 ///

The locations for the camps they have in mind, are they safe enough? They are in tribal areas where you can expect trouble. And, the same by the way for Iran in the border line. It is clear for me too that both countries look into the possibilities at the border or as near to the border as possible from their perspective, and that could create problems for us.

/// END ACT ///

The U-N-H-C-R has appealed for 260-million U-S dollars to help the Afghan refugees. Mr. Lubbers says he expects the appeal eventually will be met. (Signed)

NEB/LS/GE/JWH