UNHCR ACCOMPANIES REFUSENIK RETURNEES TO PLEIKU

UNCLAS HANOI 002411

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND PRM, BANGKOK FOR REFUGEE COORDINATOR,
GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PREF VM CB ETMIN HUMANR
SUBJECT: UNHCR ACCOMPANIES REFUSENIK RETURNEES TO PLEIKU

Reftel: PHNOM PENH 1519 AND PREVIOUS


1. (SBU) On September 15, UNHCR Officer-in-Charge for
Vietnam Vu Anh Son reported to Poloff that, as agreed to by
the GVN, he accompanied the six `refusenik' returnees from
the Cambodian border to Pleiku on September 9. Son met the
six at the border at 12:30 p.m. as planned and traveled with
them and their Vietnamese escorts to Pleiku, arriving just
before midnight. The returnees spent the night at the local
Department of Trade building. (Note: Son commented that
this was the normal accommodation for returnees' first night
in Pleiku. End Note.) The following morning (September
10),the authorities from Duc Co and Chu Se Districts
arrived and took the returnees home (three returnees in each
district). Son said there were no problems at all with the
return and that "everything was very good."


2. (SBU) Son further stated that he visited three of the
returnees on September 12 and the remaining three on
September 13 (this despite torrential rains). The returnees
and their families appeared to be very happy and in good
condition, and their overall mood was much better than that
of previous returnees, Son observed. The "leader" of the
refuseniks seemed to be working with all of their families
to ensure their welfare and well-being. Furthermore, the
six did not request UNHCR to conduct a monitoring visit at a
later date. Finally, Son stated that his team visited
various local authorities in and around Pleiku (NFI) who
assured him of their commitment to treat the returnees just
like any other citizens. One unnamed official reportedly
said, "Although it was their mistake to leave, they should
not be treated like criminals."


3. (SBU) Comment: We are pleased to hear that the return
went as planned and that UNHCR was satisfied by the
condition of the six returnees. However, we will continue
to work with the GVN on continued monitoring of all
returnees in the Central Highlands, including the six.
Mission Vietnam hopes to schedule a return visit to the
region in the near future and will attempt to meet with the
`refusenik' six at that time. End Comment.

MARINE