Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=1/4/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-H-C-R / IRAQ (L-O)

NUMBER=2-299213

BYLINE=DALE GAVLAK

DATELINE=GENEVA

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The head of the U-N refugee agency says his organization is working with Iraq's neighbors to prepare for a flood of refugees in case of a war against Iraq. V-O-A's Dale Gavlak has this report from Geneva.

TEXT: The U-N high commissioner for refugees, Ruud Lubbers, says he has sent emergency teams to negotiate with authorities in Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan to persuade them to open their borders to Iraqis in the event of war.

Mr. Lubbers says it is difficult to predict exactly how many Iraqis would require assistance, but initial plans call for enough supplies to help one-half million people. The head of the refugee agency says he expects many Iraqis to flee to Iran or Turkey.

/// LUBBERS ACT ///

I would say almost 50-percent to Iran. A considerable part of the remainder to Turkey. And there would be considerable flows, but more limited, to Syria and Jordan. We do not know if there will be internal tensions, too, because that also produces a flow of refugees.

/// END ACT ///

During the 1991 Gulf War, about one-and-one-half million Iraqis fled to neighboring countries.

Mr. Lubbers says his agency is also studying the best way to handle the risks associated with biological or chemical weapons.

/// 2nd LUBBERS ACT ///

Another question we are still examining is what to do if there is really contamination of areas. Do you pull out? Or do you have contaminated flows of refugees and how do you react to that? Honestly looking into those things the basic attitude will be: we will act as we did before -- being cautious, not risking on purpose, but taking care of people. There may be difficult choices to make from time to time.

/// END ACT ///

According to Mr. Lubbers, the U-N refugee agency is working closely with Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Middle East to coordinate humanitarian aid.

Mr. Lubbers says the refugee agency has not yet received international funding to cover the cost of its program to care for Iraqi refugees, but he says he believes the United States and other countries will provide assistance should the need arise. (SIGNED)

NEB/DG/KL/RAE/fc