PRINCE SADRUDDIN AND GUESTS AT RECEPTION; HOSTS.




Initials TS/V/JF/PC



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Background: PRINCE SADRUDDIN AGA KHAN, THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, HAS JUST COMPLETED A THREE DAY VISIT TO THE IVORY COAST. ON MONDAY (18 MARCH) PRINCE SADRUDDIN WAS THE GUEST OF HONOUR AT A RECEPTION GIVEN IN ABIDJAN BY THE LEADER OF THE ISMAELIAN COMMUNITY.

PRINCE SADRUDDIN, WHO IS THE UNCLE OF THE AGA KHAN, IS ON A FACT-FINDING TOUR, CONSIDERING THE EAST AFRICAN ASIAN PROBLEM.

THE HIGH COMMISSIONER SAID THAT THE EAST AFRICAN ASIANS COULD NOT BE CLASSIFIED AS REFUGEES, BUT THEY STOOD TO BECOME STATELESS PERSONS IF THE PRESENT SITUATION WORSENED.

PRINCE SADDRUDIN LATER VISITED CONAKRY WHERE HE SAW SOME 30,000 REFUGEES FROM PORTUGUESE GUINEA, AND HE WAS ALSO TO GO ON TO VISIT SENEGAL WHERE THERE ARE SOME 61,000 REFUGEES FROM PORTUGUESE GUINEA.

AT MONDAY'S RECEPTION, GIVEN BY MR. ADJABALI PIRBHAI KASSAU, WERE A NUMBER OF FOREIGN DIPLOMATS, INCLUDING THE U.S. AMBASSADOR, TAIWAN'S AMBASSADOR, AND LOCAL DIGNATORIES, INCLUDING THE MAYOR OF ABIDJAN.