Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04AMMAN1078
2004-02-11 14:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

UNHCR CONFIRMS IT WILL NOT PURSUE RESETTLEMENT OF

Tags:  PREF PREL KPAL KWBG IZ JO 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001078 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA AND PRM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2014
TAGS: PREF PREL KPAL KWBG IZ JO
SUBJECT: UNHCR CONFIRMS IT WILL NOT PURSUE RESETTLEMENT OF
IRAQI-PALESTINIANS FROM RUWEISHED REFUGEE CAMP

REF: A. 03 CAIRO 10867


B. HILL/POLASCHIK E-MAIL 2/9/04

Classified By: DCM David Hale per 1.5 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001078

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA AND PRM

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2014
TAGS: PREF PREL KPAL KWBG IZ JO
SUBJECT: UNHCR CONFIRMS IT WILL NOT PURSUE RESETTLEMENT OF
IRAQI-PALESTINIANS FROM RUWEISHED REFUGEE CAMP

REF: A. 03 CAIRO 10867


B. HILL/POLASCHIK E-MAIL 2/9/04

Classified By: DCM David Hale per 1.5 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary and comment: Contrary to statements made by
UNHCR's regional mission in Cairo (ref a),UNHCR Jordan
Representative Bronee confirmed that UNHCR currently does not
plan to pursue resettlement of Iraqi-Palestinians outside the
region. UNHCR would only consider third-country resettlement
for the 345 Palestinians remaining in the Ruweished refugee
camp after all other options have been exhausted, including a
return to Iraq, a "return" to their country of origin or
local integration in Jordan. Bronee told refcoord, "We are
not at that point yet." UNHCR and the GOJ commented
separately that a move by UNHCR to recognize Palestinians as
refugees under the 1951 Convention would be viewed as a
dramatic shift in global refugee policy and a conspiracy to
solve the Palestinian refugee question outside a negotiated
political solution. Given the many sensitivities surrounding
Palestinian refugee policies, we recommend that the
Department not consider this caseload for resettlement. End
summary and comment.


2. (U) In response to queries raised ref a and b, refcoord
contacted UNHCR Jordan Representative Sten Bronee February 10
to clarify UNHCR plans to find a durable solution for the 345
Iraqi-Palestinians remaining in the Ruweished refugee camp.
Bronee confirmed that UNHCR policy -- as presented to
resettlement countries in a December 2003 briefing in Geneva
-- is to consider third-country resettlement for
Iraqi-Palestinians only after all other options have been
exhausted. "We are not at that point yet," Bronee added.
UNHCR is currently pursuing other durable solutions for this
group, including return to Iraq, a "return" to the West Bank
or Gaza and local integration in Jordan or other Arab
countries. Bronee reported that UNHCR has just sent a second
letter to the Israeli Ambassador in Geneva requesting that
the GOI allow the 345 Iraqi-Palestinians to "return" to the
West Bank and Gaza.


3. (U) Bronee also confirmed that UNHCR has not recognized
as Convention-definition refugees any of the 1,200
Iraqi-Palestinians who fled to Jordan between March and May
2004 and does not plan to conduct refugee status
determination interviews for any Iraqi-Palestinians in
Jordan. (The GOJ allowed 386 Iraqi-Palestinians with family
ties to Jordan to reside permanently in Jordan, while nearly
500 other Iraqi-Palestinians have voluntarily returned to
Iraq. 345 Iraqi-Palestinians remain in the UNHCR camp at
Ruweished, Jordan.) UNHCR has registered the
Iraqi-Palestinian population for assistance purposes only;
under a long-standing agreement between UNHCR and UNRWA,
UNHCR does not recognize Palestinians as refugees in UNRWA's
areas of operations (Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, West Bank and
Gaza). Bronee commented that any move by UNHCR to recognize
Palestinian refugees under the 1951 Convention would create
"political shock waves" in the region.


4. (C) In a separate February 10 meeting, GOJ Department of
Palestinian Affairs Director General Abdulkarim Abulhaija
told refcoord that UNHCR recognition of Palestinian refugees
in an UNRWA area of operation would be viewed as a dramatic
shift in global refugee policy. Any U.S. resettlement of
UNHCR-recognized Palestinian refugees would be interpreted as
a conspiracy to solve the Palestinian refugee question
outside the parameters of a negotiated political solution,
with difficult political ramifications. Abulhaija predicted
that any changes in existing Palestinian refugee policies
would result in high-level condemnation from the Arab League.
On the other hand, he added, quiet acceptance of
Palestinians under U.S. and European immigration -- rather
than refugee -- programs could prove to be an acceptable
humanitarian solution for this caseload, provided the
processing was handled in a low-key and case-by-case fashion.
(UNHCR has given us a list of Iraqi-Palestinians with close
family ties to the U.S. and we are preparing a response that
outlines our immigrant visa requirements.)


5. (C) Comment: Given the many sensitivities surrounding
Palestinian refugee policies, we recommend that the
Department not consider Iraqi-Palestinians for the U.S.
refugee resettlement program. We continue to work with
UNHCR, the GOJ and other neighboring governments to find
solutions for this group that do not include resettlement
outside the region.


6. (U) CPA Baghdad minimize considered.
GNEHM