CONGO / TANZANIA / UNHCR AGREEMENT ON REFUGEE

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000224

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL EAID CG UN
SUBJECT: CONGO / TANZANIA / UNHCR AGREEMENT ON REFUGEE
REPATRIATIONS


1. SUMMARY: The DRC, Tanzania and UNHCR signed an agreement
January 20 on repatriation of Congolese refugees currently in
Tanzania. According to a UNHCR official, however, actual
repatriation will probably not begin before 2006, due to
inhospitable conditions in the Congo. END SUMMARY.

An Agreement...
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2. Representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC),Tanzania, and the U.N. High Commission for Refugees
(UNHCR) signed a tripartite agreement in Dar es Salaam on
January 20, providing for the repatriation of Congolese
refugees currently in Tanzania. Congolese Interior Minister
Theophile Mbemba signed the agreement on behalf of the DRC.
The deal paves the way for the repatriation of some 400,000
Congolese refugees, 150,000 of whom live in Tanzania.

...But No Action Yet
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3. Although the agreement is an important legal and
diplomatic step forward, actual repatriation will likely not
begin before 2006. During the week of January 17-21, the
UNHCR and other U.N. agencies visited southeastern Congo, to
evaluate reception conditions in areas where refugees have
returned. According to a Kinshasa-based UNHCR official,
"UNHCR will use 2005 to prepare for the return of refugees
and repatriation will commence in 2006."


4. (U) Bujumbura minimize considered.
MEECE