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UN UN High Commissioner Urges Open Borders for Fleeing Afghans
September 22, 2001

GENEVA -- PNS
UN High Commissioner for refugees Ruud Lubbers has urged states surrounding Afghanistan to keep their borders open so desperate people felling the strife-torn country can be protected. He also called for an international "humanitarian coalition" to help share the burden.

"We have repeatedly appealed to and worked with the governments in the region to keep their borders open and to make it possible for refugees to benefit from protection," the High Commissioner said.

"We believe that given the current situation inside Afghanistan, there is even more reason to encourage all countries, including those bordering Afghanistan, not to close their doors. Many Afghans are not only afraid of what may happen in future, but are now -- in addition to the current tensions-fearing even greater difficulties than before because international humanitarian agencies like mine had to withdraw their international staff."
(More: PakNews.com News Source)

Dan