NIGERIA: UNHCR SEEKS USG HELP WITH NIGERIA ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 000519

SIPDIS


FOR REFUGEE OFFICERS; CAIRO FOR POL -- MAXSTADT.


E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/10/2013
TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV IV LI NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: UNHCR SEEKS USG HELP WITH NIGERIA ON
LIBERIAN REFUGEES


REF: A. SECSTATE 36393

B. LAGOS 00381

C. LAGOS 00407

D. ACCRA 00363

E. SECSTATE 08699


Classified By: CG ROBYN HINSON-JONES FOR REASONS 1.5 (B&D).



1. (C) SUMMARY. Eusebe Hounsokou, UNHCR representative in
Nigeria, updated Poloff on his efforts to relocate 5,000
Liberian refugees from Cote d'Ivoire to Nigeria (Ref B). Per
UNHCR Geneva's information, Hounsokou advised the GON that,
since the USG may take up to 10,000 Liberian refugees for
resettlement, permanent shelters will not/not be necessary to
accommodate those transferred here until arrangements can be
made to move them to the United States. If the GON approves
the relocation, UNHCR will advise against placing all 5,000
Liberian refugees in a single camp within Nigeria. He asked
that Ambassador Jeter raise the issue with President
Obasanjo. Per Abuja Septel, GON appears to be leaning toward
accepting some refugees. Ambassador's intervention with the
President may not be necessary. Apparently receiving
inaccurate information from Geneva, Hounsokou is representing
our offer regarding possible United States resettlement of
refugees as more ironclad than we would like.
Washington/Geneva may want to clarify this with UNHCR (see
para 5). END SUMMARY.



2. (C) On February 26, Hounsokou recounted to Poloff his
earlier conversations with MFA Permanent Secretary Ambassador
Daniel Hart and GON Commissioner for Refugees Professor Igna
Gabriel. Hounsokou's initial approach to the MFA was not
forwarded to Nigeria's refugee commissioner, who asked that a
formal request be readdressed to him. Hounsokou sent the
requested letter to Commissioner Gabriel on February 25 and
was awaiting the GON's official reply. On separate
occasions, each gentleman gave Hounsokou his personal support
for relocating the requested 5,000 Liberian refugees to
Nigeria from Cote d'Ivoire (Ref A). Each told Hounsokou he
felt "ashamed" that Nigeria had not taken part in the
military operation, and thus hoped the GON would play a
humanitarian role.



3. (C) Hounsokou is optimistic that GON will accept the
refugees for relocation here. Gabriel suggested to Hounsokou
that Obasanjo will make the decision personally. Gabriel
will tell Obasanjo his opinion that "This is our duty. We
should assist with the refugees." Hounsokou asked if
Ambassador Jeter could speak with President Obasanjo to
confirm USG interest in the issue and to encourage a rapid
decision on the GON's part. (Embassy Abuja delivered the
Reftel A demarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The
Nigerians seemed to be leaning heavily toward a positive
decision. Consequently, there is little utility for the
Ambassador's intervention at this stage. The MFA and other
GON agencies are scheduled to meet within the next week and
make a decision on the refugees. Depending on the decision,
the Mission will reconsider the appropriateness of Ambassador
Jeter intervening with the President.)



4. (C) NOTE: UNHCR Geneva apparently advised Hounsokou that
USG may take up to 10,000 Liberian refugees for resettlement.
On this basis, he is suggesting to the GON that permanent
shelters will not/not be necessary to accommodate those
transferred here until arrangements can be made to move them
to the U.S. Poloff cautioned Hounsokou that the USG would
first require each individual case to be dutifully
documented, something we understand has been difficult given
the problems with file corruption at Nicla (Refs A and D).
Hounsokou requested more information about what USG
requirements will entail in this regard.



5. (U) Washington/Geneva: Based on information received from
UNHCR Geneva, Hounsokou apparently has represented to the GON
that the USG was firmly committed to taking thousands of
refugees. Our interpretation of Reftel A indicates that this
is not the case. To avoid future misunderstanding,
Washington/Geneva may want to clarify our position with UNHCR
Geneva.



6. (C) Hounsokou expressed concern that the GON may lack the
resources to transport the refugees. Any assistance the USG
can provide in this regard would be appreciated. Poloff
suggested that Hounsokou check with UNHCR Geneva for possible
transportation funds, and mentioned that the USG recently
contributed $30 million to the UNHCR that was allocated to
Africa (Ref E).



7. (C) If the GON approves the relocation, UNHCR will advise
against placing all 5,000 Liberian refugees in a single camp
within Nigeria. Experience has taught UNHCR that large
refugee camps often become recruitment grounds for armed
factions to recruit fighters.



8. (SBU) UNHCR plans to relocate its main office to Abuja
sometime between September and December 2003, when their
contractor should have completed the new facility. Due to
the Lagos office's proximity to the refugee camp, Hounsokou
would like to keep a senior staff member here to manage the
camp.



9. (C) COMMENT: The GON has provided hopeful signs that it
will accept a number of refugees. Whatever it decides, the
GON will base its decision on its role as a sub-regional
leader balanced against strong domestic budgetary and
political exigencies. Potential USG plans to resettle
Liberians in the U.S. may be a factor in the decision but a
secondary one. However, unless corrected, the
misunderstanding that the US will take in most of not all
these refugees will be important in shaping UNHCR and
Nigeria's plans for accommodating the refugees. The UNHCR
and the GON would need significantly fewer resources to
accommodate refugees on a short-term basis. Consequently, it
is imperative that we eliminate any misunderstanding about
the USG's commitment toward the Liberian refugees. END
COMMENT.
HINSON-JONES