SWITZERLAND: UNHCR RUUD LUBBERS HAS SAID ITS HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION IS READY FOR A POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ

Record ID: 648885

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: UNHCR RUUD LUBBERS HAS SAID ITS HUMANITARIAN ORGANISATION IS READY FOR A POSSIBLE MILITARY ACTION IN IRAQ
  • Date: 4th February 2003
  • Summary: (EU) GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (FEBRUARY 4, 2003) (REUTERS) 1. SLV EXTERIOR OF SWISS PRESS CLUB 0.05 2. CU UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES AND SWISS FLAGS 0.09 3. SV UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES RUUD LUBBERS ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE 0.16 4. SV OF JOURNALISTS 0.20 5. MCU (English) LUBBERS: "Of course, the U.N. Secretary General Security Council try to find a solution without military intervention but if it happens we have to be prepared, of course, for those who want to flee the country. Therefore, we checked about where they should go and what is needed by us in terms of assisting the receiving countries, the neighbouring countries with their Red Crescent organisations and then, for sure, we have to send professional people, about 7 or 8 teams, a total of 200 people. These people know, their supervisors and bosses know that if it happens they have to go immediately there. So in that sense we are prepared in terms of what we call human resources staff." 1.06 6. MCU (English) LUBBERS: (Asked what's the estimate of refugees in case of war): "It's difficult to make such an estimate but you have to work with planning figures anyhow. In terms of numbers there should be between 500,000 and 600,000 in total, of which most will be received by Iran, I guess, almost 50 percent, maybe a little bit less. Then, a substantial number in the North, that it will be under the responsibility of Turkey, and quite some numbers to Syria and Jordan. I don't think to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, but it is also the policy of Saudi Arabia of staying with close borders. Probably Saudi Arabia will take its solidarity by supporting other countries, particularly Jordan, to receive people." 2.00 7. SV UNHCR RUUD LUBBERS SPEAKING TO JOURNALIST 2.04 8. MCU (English) LUBBERS: (Asked if the UNHCR team is ready for an eventual biological/chemical attack): "All the inspection team is trying to eliminate that and to find that, but it's not happening with enormous results so I think we should not exaggerate those elements but our people have to be prepared in terms of training like the military. So it is the same for the humanitarian workers." 2.28 9. SV UNHCR RUUD LUBBERS SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS 2.31 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 19th February 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Reuters ID: LVA3JRL719WSWRWWRK5ISD0IGICQ
  • Story Text: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
    Ruud Lubbers has said its humanitarian organisation is ready
    for a possible military action in Iraq. He has also said that
    about half of an estimated 600,000 Iraqis who could flee a
    U.S.-led invasion are expected to head for Iran. Other Iraqis
    would be expected to flee to Turkey, Syria and Jordan, but
    Saudi Arabia is expected to keep its borders shut.



    United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
    Ruud Lubbers revealed on Tuesday (February 4) that 200 UNHCR
    staff are on stand-by to go to the Middle East region under a
    first-phase deployment if war breaks out.

    Lubbers, a former Dutch prime minister who took up the
    reins of the U.N. refugee agency two years ago, also said that
    about half of an estimated 600,000 Iraqis who could flee a
    U.S.-led invasion are expected to head for Iran.

    "Of course, the U.N. Secretary General Security Council
    try to find a solution without military intervention but if it
    happens we have to be prepared, of course, for those who want
    to flee the country. Therefore, we checked about where they
    should go and what is needed by us in terms of assisting the
    receiving countries, the neighbouring countries with their Red
    Crescent organisations and then, for
    sure, we have to send professional people, about 7 or 8 teams,
    a total of 200 people. These people know, their supervisors
    and bosses know that if it happens they have to go immediately
    there. So in that sense we are prepared in terms of what we
    call human resources staff," Ruud Lubbers said.

    "It's difficult to make such an estimate but you have to
    work with planning figures anyhow. In terms of numbers there
    should be between 500,000 and 600,000 in total, of which most
    will be received by Iran, I guess, almost 50 percent, maybe a
    little bit less. Then, a substantial number in the North, that
    it will be under the responsibility of Turkey, and quite some
    numbers to Syria and Jordan. I don't think to Saudi Arabia and
    Kuwait, but it is also the policy of Saudi Arabia of staying
    with close borders. Probably Saudi Arabia will take its
    solidarity by supporting other countries, particularly Jordan,
    to receive people," he added when asked what was the estimate
    of refugees in case of war.

    Other Iraqis would be expected to flee to Turkey, Syria
    and Jordan, but Saudi Arabia is expected to keep its borders
    shut, he said.

    But Lubbers made clear that he hoped that U.N. inspectors
    combing Iraq for weapons of mass destruction are allowed to
    carry out their task and that war is avoided.

    When asked if the UNHCR team was ready for an eventual
    biological or chemical attack, Lubbers replied: "All the
    inspection team is trying to eliminate that and to find that,
    but it's not happening with enormous results so I think we
    should not exaggerate those elements but our people have to be
    prepared in terms of training like the military. So it is the
    same for the humanitarian workers."

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