CZECHS OFFER PERMANENT RESETTLEMENT TO 40 UZBEK

UNCLAS PRAGUE 001090 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF PREL EZ UZ KG SUBJECT: CZECHS OFFER PERMANENT RESETTLEMENT TO 40 UZBEK REFUGEES REF: A. STATE 131485 ¶B. PRAGUE 1068 ¶C. GENEVA 1739 ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive But Unclassified - Not for Internet Distribution. ¶2. (SBU) This is an action request, please see paragraph 4. ¶3. (SBU) Following up on ref requests for a humanitarian transfer of Uzbek refugees to a safe location, we met with Mr. Tomas Haisman, Director of the Department for Asylum and Migration Policies at the Ministry of Interior on July 20 to discuss a formal Czech offer. Haisman confirmed that the Ministry had approved the transfer of 40 Uzbek refugees in Kazakhstan to the Czech Republic and said they would process them for permanent resettlement in the Czech Republic (rather than simply offering temporary safe haven for processing as requested reftel). Haisman said that he had already conveyed this offer to the Prague office of UNHCR. To accept the refugees, Haisman said that the GOCR would need approximately 3 days notice to prepare for their arrival, which would most likely take place at the Ostrava airport where they can be taken to a refugee processing center. He added that he would be happy to coordinate with the USG on logistics. Haisman requested that we make no public statements about the offer for permanent settlement, adding that his office would prepare a media response once they knew if their offer was accepted by UNHCR. ¶4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: The Czechs asked if the USG would be providing transportation assistance or other logistical support to bring the Uzbek refugees to the Czech Republic. Please advise of any planned USG support. CABANISS