ACCESSION NUMBER:315133

FILE ID:POL401

DATE:12/02/93

TITLE:U.S. WOULD CONSIDER ACCEPTING MORE BOSNIAN REFUGEES (12/02/93)

TEXT:*93120201.POL

U.S. WOULD CONSIDER ACCEPTING MORE BOSNIAN REFUGEES



1Brunson McKinley outlines U.S. policy)  (430)

By Wendy Lubetkin

USIA European Correspondent

Geneva -- If the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina worsens, the United States

would consider increasing the number of refugees it accepts from the former

Yugoslavia, says a top U.S. refugee official.



"Depending on what happens on the ground, we would be prepared to enlarge

our program," Brunson McKinley, State Department deputy assistant

secretary, Bureau for Refugee Programs, said at a December 2 news briefing

in Geneva.



The Bosnian demand for settlement in the United States has thus far been

relatively low, he said, noting that most Bosnians have preferred to stay

closer to home in the hope of going back when the conflict is over.  Some

have sought resettlement in European countries -- especially Germany --

where many have relatives and there is already a large community from the

former Yugoslavia.



"We have been taking in some Bosnians and other former Yugoslavs, but it has

been a rather modest program so far,"  McKinley said.



Refugee and other humanitarian issues will increasingly be a major factor to

be considered by the State Department and other government agencies as they

reorganize in the coming years, McKinley said.



Building the capability to deal with humanitarian crises is a key part of

the U.S. government's efforts to "retool for the post-Cold War era," he

explained.  Not only the State Department but also the Department of

Defense, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and even the

intelligence community are evolving in this direction, he said.



Noting the Pentagon's efforts to increase humanitarian efforts, McKinley

added, "This may seem paradoxical, but in fact it is something the

military, and especially the U.S. military, is well-suited to do."  He

cited the Defense Department's ability to provide transport in emergency

situations and to stockpile and deliver emergency supplies such as food,

shelter and blankets..



Even the intelligence community, McKinley said, is looking at improving its

ability to give early warning of emerging humanitarian or refugee crises.



At least three U.S. government agencies will contribute to the $150-million

aid package for Bosnia recently announced by Secretary of State

Christopher.  As part of that assistance, airlift and airdrop operations in

the former Yugoslavia will be doubled, in an effort funded and operated by

the Department of Defense.  Food relief will be provided by USAID.  The

Bureau for Refugee Programs will provide $30 million in cash support for

the operations of international organizations in the field.



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