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Documents relatifs aux relations extérieures du Canada
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Volume #16 - 328. | |
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CHAPITRE III NATIONS UNIES | |
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3E PARTIE CINQUIÈME SESSION DE L'ASSEMBLÉE GÉNÉRALE, PREMIÈRE PARTIE | |
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SECTION
G LE HAUT COMMISSAIRE FOUR LES RÉFUGIÉS | |
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328. |
DEA/5475-DS-7-40 |
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Note du chef de la Direction des Nations Unies pour le sous secrétaire d'État aux Affaires extérieures | |
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TELEGRAM 632 CONFIDENTIAL |
[Ottawa],
le 5 août 1950 |
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HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES | |
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I attach for your signature, if you approve, a despatch to the Chairman of the Canadian Delegation to the Assembly concerning the item dealing with the functions of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees. A commentary article t dealing with all the sub headings of the item on refugees has already been approved and will be sent to New York within a day or two. The attached despatch deals solely with the question of the definition of refugee. It seems likely that this is the only part of the draft statute prepared by ECOSOC which may lead to controversy. You will remember that the Canadian Delegation at the Assembly last fall joined with the United States Delegation in supporting a category type definition, but that after further consideration, Cabinet approval was obtained to change our policy and to support a broad definition at the Eleventh Session of ECOSOC.67 We did give strong support to the United Kingdom Delegation at the Council in their efforts to secure a general definition and this definition was rejected by a very narrow vote. The United Kingdom intends to reopen the issue at the Assembly and it is possible that the Council's decision may be reversed. Some of the arguments which led us to favour a broad definition are less strong than they were, but on the whole, I think that both on moral and practical grounds we ought still to favour a general definition. The attached despatch with its enclosure (Report of the Canadian Delegation to ECOSOC) indicates the developments which have taken place in the last few months. It may be useful for the Delegation to have this information before taking a stand on this matter at the Social Committee. J.W. HOLMES 67Voir le document 343./See Document 343. | |
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