SUDANESE DEMONSTRATIONS FORCE UNHCR CLOSURE

UNCLAS CAIRO 007766

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

FOR PRM/A, PRM/AFR, PRM/ANE, PRM/MCE, NEA/ELA, AND AF
ROME FOR DHS/CIS
GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PHUM PREL ASEC EG SU UNHCR
SUBJECT: SUDANESE DEMONSTRATIONS FORCE UNHCR CLOSURE


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY


1. (SBU) A PEACEFUL BUT GROWING DEMONSTRATION BY SUDANESE
REFUGEES HAS FORCED UNHCR TO CLOSE ITS OFFICE IN CAIRO. WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF THE REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE, SAAD AL ATTAR, AND
SEVERAL CRITICAL SECURITY PERSONNEL, STAFF-MEMBERS HAVE BEEN SENT
HOME AND UNHCR HAS SENT OUT EMAILS ADVISING THAT THE OFFICE WILL
NOT BE OPERATIONAL FOR THE TIME BEING.


2. (SBU) ACCORDING TO PROTECTION OFFICER, INGE DE LANGHE, ABOUT
50 DEMONSTRATORS TOOK UP POSITION IN A SMALL PARK NEAR UNHCR'S
OFFICE WITH TENTS AND BANNERS LATE LAST WEEK. DURING THE WEEKEND
MORE ARRIVED AND WHEN REFCOORD VISITED THE SITE THIS MORNING,
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, THE CROWD HAD GROWN TO AROUND 1,000 WITH
BUSLOADS CONTINUING TO ARRIVE. THE DEMONSTRATION IS PEACEFUL
WITH ALMOST A PICNIC ATMOSPHERE. EGYPTIAN POLICE ARE STANDING BY
BUT SEEM QUITE RELAXED ABOUT THE SITUATION. THIS IS IN MARKED
CONTRAST TO THE VIOLENT RIOT STAGED BY SUDANESE IN AUGUST LAST
YEAR (SEPTEL) WHEN REFUGEES ATTACKED THE UNHCR OFFICE INJURING
SEVERAL POLICE AND CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE.


3. (SBU) ACCORDING TO DE LANGHE, UNHCR BELIEVES THE SUDANESE ARE
RECENT ARRIVALS FROM THE SOUTH (NOT DARFUR). THEY ARE NOT
REGISTERED OR RECOGNIZED REFUGEES AND SEEM TO BE QUITE WELL
ORGANIZED WITH WELL-CRAFTED BANNERS CRITICIZING UNHCR'S DECISION
TO CEASE REFUGEE STATUS DETERMINATIONS (RSDS) FOR SUDANESE IN
JUNE 2004 AND OPPOSING REPATRIATION. SOME OF THE BANNERS DEMAND
THIRD COUNTRY RESETTLEMENT. UNHCR MET FOR AN ENTIRE DAY WITH THE
SUDANESE OVER THE WEEKEND BUT FAILED TO DEFUSE THE DEMONSTRATION.


4. (SBU) IT IS UNCLEAR WHO IS ORGANIZING THE DEMONSTRATION BUT IT
HAS INVOLVED SOME CAREFUL PLANNING WITH THE PROVISION OF BUSES,
TENTS, FOOD AND NUMEROUS BANNERS. UNHCR BELIEVES THE SITUATION IS
BEING FUELED BY THE APPARENT EASE WITH WHICH SUDANESE ASYLUM
SEEKERS CAN OBTAIN VISAS TO COME TO CAIRO.


5. (SBU) UNHCR FEARS THAT THE SUDANESE ARE PREPARING FOR A LONG
SIEGE AND IF THE NUMBERS KEEP GROWING THE EGYPTIAN AUTHORITIES
WILL FEEL COMPELLED TO TAKE COUNTERMEASURES.


6. (U) KHARTOUM MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.

RICCIARDONE