UNHCR EXCOM #5: SEEKING BETTER PROTECTION FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 GENEVA 002484

SIPDIS

PRM FOR ANE AND ADMISSIONS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/12/2010
TAGS: PREF PREL PHUM EAID CH KN UNCHR
SUBJECT: UNHCR EXCOM #5: SEEKING BETTER PROTECTION FOR
NORTH KOREAN REFUGEES

REF: GENEVA 2465

Classified By: RMA Counselor Piper Campbell; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: On the margins of UNHCR,s Executive
Committee meeting, Acting PRM A/S Rich Greene raised in
meetings with Chinese Mission Counselor and UNHCR staff the
fate of North Korean asylum seekers in China. Chinese
concerns over stability in northeast Asia and successful
resolution of the six-party talks make progress on this issue
unlikely for the time being. China also blames South
Korea,s inability to handle a large influx of migrants as
the reason for China,s slow approval of travel to South
Korea by North Koreans waiting in diplomatic compounds.
UNHCR officials say they would like to be helpful in
providing resettlement opportunities for North Koreans, but
maintain North Koreans are not refugees if they choose to
claim South Korean citizenship. UN High Commissioner for
Refugees Guterres plans to travel to Beijing in early 2006.
UNHCR,s Head of Delegation in Beijing continues to be denied
permission to travel to the northeast, but plans to raise
with Chinese officials the case of a North Korean woman who
was persecuted upon her forced return to China and to discuss
with China and South Korea how humanitarian and development
aid can be targeted to reduce border crossings. End
Summary.


2. (C) In an October 5 meeting with Chinese Mission
Counselor La Yifan, Greene pressed the PRC to grant access
to the border area near North Korea to humanitarian
organizations and to facilitate the movement to South Korea
of North Korean asylum seekers transiting China. While
expressing understanding for the situation China finds
itself in, Greene said it is hard to understand why
assistance to those in need would threaten Chinese
security. Greene asked that China reduce delays in
processing North Koreans for onward travel to South Korea,
particularly those in diplomatic compounds.


3. (C) La responded that Beijing's primary interest
regarding relations with DPRK is stability in north-east
Asia and successful resolution of the six-party talks on
nuclear weapons. He said the PRC is concerned that
assistance to North Koreans in China would exert a
pull-effect on potential "illegal border crossers."
Granting UNHCR access would be particularly sensitive, he
said. On North Koreans waiting in diplomatic compounds for
permission to travel to South Korea, La asserted that the
slow pace is due at least
in part to ROK inability to handle a large influx of
migrants. Admitting that the affair has not been handled
perfectly by Beijing, La seemed to allege that China is
taking the heat for a slow down Seoul has requested. He
pledged to convey U.S. concerns to Beijing.


4. (C) During an October 3 meeting with UNHCR's Asia
Director Janet Lim, Greene reiterated the importance of
this issue to the U.S. and our interest in receiving refugee
resettlement referrals of North Koreans. He noted
the impending State Department report to Congress and said we
are looking for an intensified UNHCR effort. He
expressed the hope that UNHCR would move quickly on the
construction of a (partially U.S.-funded) refugee reception
center at the Mongolian border.


5. (C) Lim responded that UNHCR wants to be helpful, but
must not take action that imperils the informal underground
railroad by which many North Koreans ultimately gain asylum
in South Korea. What UNHCR can do depends on how much
freedom it is given by the host country. In China
particularly, UNHCR is trying to strengthen its dialogue with
the government and to obtain access to the border region.
The High Commissioner plans to travel to Beijing early in

2006. Lim and Head of International Protection Erika Feller
visited recently and hope to go back
together soon, perhaps to the border area. UNHCR's Beijing
Head of Delegation Michel Gabaudan is still trying to
obtain permission to travel north. Lim stressed a point she
has raised with U.S. officials in the past: North
Koreans qualify for South Korean citizenship; while they may
have valid fears of persecution (especially those who
are forcibly returned to North Korea),they are not refugees
when or if they choose to claim their South Korean
citizenship.


6. (C) The plight of North Koreans was also raised by PRM/ANE
Office Director Richard Albright in a follow-up meeting with
Lim October 11. Like Greene, Albright urged UNHCR to refer
appropriate cases to the U.S. Lim repeated the same points
as in the October 3 meeting. She also added two new
elements: (1) Beijing Head of Delegation Gaubadan plans to
raise with the Chinese the case of a North Korean woman who
had a limb amputated after a forced return. Gaubadan will
stress to the Chinese that this proves that persecution
occurs. UNHCR has urged the Chinese to pressure the North
Koreans not to punish those forcibly returned. (2) UNHCR has
urged the Chinese and South Koreans to look at how
humanitarian and development aid can be targeted at the
specific provinces from which most border crossers come.
Addressing food and economic needs in place could reduce
border crossings, Lim asserted.
Cassel