C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 002255

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2013
TAGS: BT NP PHUM PREF PREL CA UNHCR
SUBJECT: BHUTANESE REFUGEES: CANADA CONTINUES TO PRESS FOR
SOLUTION

REF: STATE 215687

Classified By: Pol MC Brian Flora for reasons 1.5(b) and (d).


1. (C) Post shared points contained reftel with Elissa
Golberg, DFAIT's Acting Deputy Director for Humanitarian
Affairs, on August 7. Golberg said Canada agrees that
pressure should continue on both Bhutan and Nepal to agree to
a durable solution for the Bhutanese refugees. Canada is
going to continue to engage Bhutan and Nepal about the
refugee situation bilaterally, Golberg indicated, as it
believes a bilateral approach will be more effective at
present.(Note: Canada has recently established a mission in
Thimphu, and the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi is
responsible for Canada's relations with Nepal. End note).


2. (C) Canada agrees that UNHCR has an important role to play
in the repatriation process, Goldberg said, particularly in
ensuring that returns are voluntary, informed, and conducted
with full respect for the safety and dignity of the
returnees. Golberg said that at an appropriate juncture,
Canada could support a multilateral agreement on
comprehensive settlement of the refugees, including some
third country resettlement.
KELLY