DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON POSSIBLE THIRD COUNTRY

UNCLAS ALMATY 002445

SIPDIS


SENSITIVE


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM KZ UZ KG POLITICAL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON POSSIBLE THIRD COUNTRY
RESETTLEMENT OF UZBEK ASYLUM SEEKERS IN KYRGYZSTAN

REFTEL: STATE 121739


1. (SBU) On June 30, Astana PO met with MFA's Director for
Economic and Humanitarian Cooperation Akan Rakhmetulin and
delivered reftel demarche, asking Kazakhstan to consider
providing temporary refuge to Uzbek asylum seekers in
Kyrgyzstan. Rakhmetulin remarked that Foreign Minister
Tokayev had suggested to Ambassador Ordway during their June
28 meeting (septel) that Kyrgyzstan should allow UNHCR to
take the lead to deflect pressure from Uzbekistan. PO noted
that they had not discussed, however, whether there was any
possibility of allowing these Uzbeks safe haven in
Kazakhstan. (Note: Ambassador did make a reference to the
possibility, but Tokayev did not respond. End Note.)
Rakhmetulin promised to immediately brief Tokayev on the
request.


2. (SBU) Rakhmetulin questioned PO closely on the
composition of the teams interviewing the Uzbek asylum
seekers, particularly if organizations other than UNHCR were
participating. (Comment: While not hostile, Rakhmetulin's
tone hinted at suspicion that the interviews are being
skewed in favor of a finding of refugee status. End
Comment.) PO simply noted that in her experience UNHCR did
not invite outsiders to conduct their interviews. The MFA
Director also asked who had suggested Kazakhstan. PO
responded that Kazakhstan was easily a natural top choice
with Kazakhstan's internal stability and geographical,
linguistic, and cultural proximity to Uzbekistan.

ORDWAY


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