We believe that it is time to consider invoking the cessation clause in areas that are on their way to resolution. The longer the refugees remain in the camps, the greater their risk of being pulled into the widening turmoil. We need to break an intolerable and unsustainable status quo. The international community has to take some risks, to design a coordinated strategy, and to urgently pursue durable solutions. While the international community will continue to help, the countries of refugee origin and asylum in the region must take greater responsibility as well.
Resources are limited and diminishing.
Prompt, voluntary, and orderly repatriation of Rwandan refugees is needed despite the risks that always come with large movements of people. We must continue and augment traditional efforts to encourage voluntary repatriation. Together with other concerned governments, we are also suggesting a series of measures in the Great Lakes region, including camp consolidation, targeted application of the cessation and exclusion clauses, and phasing out assistance to existing camps that are too close to borders, while providing viable alternatives for those who continue to fear return. We welcome Guatemala's commitment to reintegration and Mexico's generous offer of permanent resettlement. We are confident that the challenges of sustainable integration will be met in both countries.