CANADA TO PRESS BHUTAN ON NEGOTIATIONS,

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001118 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2013 TAGS: PHUM PREL PREF BT NP CA SUBJECT: CANADA TO PRESS BHUTAN ON NEGOTIATIONS, REPATRIATION REF: STATE 93923 Classified By: Deputy Pol MC Mary Witt for reasons 1.5(b) and (d). (C) We delivered points contained reftel to Luke Sookocheff, Human Rights Officer in DFAIT's Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs and International Women's Equality Division, on April ¶11. In a follow-up discussion April 17, Sookocheff told poloff that Canada agrees the plight of the Bhutanese refugees in Nepal is unacceptable, and that Canada has sent and will continue to send that message to the governments of Bhutan and Nepal. Sookocheff said Canada would urge Bhutan to finalize its negotiations with Nepal, to work closely with UNHCR on a repatriation/integration plan, and to begin repatriation as soon as possible. Sookocheff indicated that Canada remains interested in participating in third country resettlement efforts as part of a comprehensive settlement of the refugee problem. (Note: While Canada's mission in New Delhi has been responsible for Bhutan, Sookocheff said that Canada is in the process of establishing diplomatic relations with Thimphu and expects to open a 1-person post there this year. End note.) CELLUCCI