PRM A/S DEWEY'S DISCUSSIONS WITH IOM - "HOLDING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 001222

SIPDIS

STATE FOR PRM/A, GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM GH
SUBJECT: PRM A/S DEWEY'S DISCUSSIONS WITH IOM - "HOLDING
THE PROGRAM IN YOUR HANDS ON A DAILY BASIS"



1. Summary: A/S Dewey and the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission held
fruitful discussions during the recent trip by A/S Dewey
to W. Africa. Touching on issues related to security,
fiscal management and panel physician concerns in the
region, Dewey was presented with a debriefing of IOM's
role as PRM's "go to" partner for difficult support
operations in the region. End Summary.


2. During a representational dinner and private
luncheon with IOM COM Antonio Polosa, A/S Dewey was
briefed on the extensive support that IOM has provided
to the USRP in the region over the past three years.
The two focused on three general areas of concern: 1)
the expanded role of IOM as a result of 9/11, 2) the
cognizance of fiscal responsibility as sound program
performance and 3) medical delays and the role of panel
physicians.


3. Expanded Role of IOM - Our "go to" Partner. Polosa
outlined the dramatic increase in IOM responsibilities
since the events of 9/11. As a result of ensuing
security concerns associated with the event, DHS ceased
interviewing in refugee camps in W. Africa. The USRP
then had to bring the caseloads to DHS, which often
involved bringing thousands of refugees from remote
areas in the bush to capital cities. While the
logistics were challenging enough for IOM, a need to
have IOM bear the burden of providing infrastructure to
OPE and DHS during interviews emerged as a top
priority. As no other entity could enter into
fiduciary contracts with vendors outside of Ghana, IOM
was tapped by PRM to provide everything from building
leases, to copiers to car rentals. In addition to this
physical support, IOM routinely stepped in to take up
the slack of UNHCR efforts in areas where staff was
limited or where there was no presence whatsoever.
This support included, but wasn't limited to, posting
notifications for refugees, providing expediting
services at airports for OPE staff and completing odds
and ends like photographing refugees. (Comment: While
not mentioned in the discussion, it should also be
noted that IOM has been the entity assigned to conduct
fingerprinting of all refugees determined in need by
PRM. End Comment).


4. Fiscal Responsibility - Understanding Funding
Limitations. A/S Dewey and Polosa discussed the
current low level of funding in which the admissions
program finds itself. Polosa acknowledged PRM's
concerns noting it was well understood within the ranks
of IOM. Committed to sound program performance, Polosa
stated that IOM/Accra was cognizant of ensuring fiscal
responsibility went hand in hand with project
development.


5. Medical Delays - Panel Physicians Still Cause
Problems. A/S Dewey queried Polosa about the role IOM
plays regarding the medical examinations in the region.
Explaining the support role to panel physicians, the
conversation eventually turned to the continuing
problems faced with some panel physicians in the
region. Refcoord provided a few glaring examples of
instances where refugees were delayed for years due to
panel physician slowness or ineptitude. Polosa
reinforced that if the medicals did not come in from
the panel physicians, then the refugees could not move.
Refcoord discussed some creative ways the field had
gotten around problem physicians, noting "facilitated"
exams by IOM doctors sent to posts to "assist" panel
physicians, sending cables to posts encouraging face-to-
face discussions on poor performance. Noting that IOM
was tapped to provide the medical services in Abidjan
for the recent operation, Refcoord remarked that the
decision to utilize IOM was not only to benefit the
very strict timeline, but also because our experience
with the Abidjan panel physicians were so poor in the
past that we couldn't risk having them jeopardize the
operation. Further describing dramatic cost
discrepancies between fees for the Canadians vs. the
Americans, Refcoord noted that this was an additional
issue that needed attention. For example, in Banjul
the panel physician charges the USG at least 3 times
the rate of the same exam for the Canadians.


6. "Holding The Program in Your Hands on a Daily
Basis". To summarize the issues, Polosa noted that
there were so many permutations to the operation that
one had to hold the program in his hands on a daily
basis. A/S Dewey appreciated the comment, carrying it
through to other meetings throughout the trip. Voicing
strong appreciation for IOM efforts, the Assistant
Secretary yet again provided heartfelt encouragement to

SIPDIS
the daily efforts of a valued USRP team member.