UN General Assembly
1983

The actions now being taken as a result of an agreement between the Governments of Djibouti and Ethiopia and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in order to find a lasting solution to the refugee problem are encouraging. Repatriation freely consented to by refugees is the most appropriate solution. The process of repatriation on a strictly voluntary basis is backed up by a programme to rehabilitate refugees in their countries of origin. The programme is spread over several months. Initial operations started on 19 September 1983, and 700 refugees have already been resettled in their villages of origin. Since the achievement of our own objectives has taught us to coexist with all countries in a genuine spirit of co-operation and understanding, we are equally devoted to the principle of good-neighborliness, and we reaffirm our desire to maintain a prudent policy of positive neutrality in our international relations.