Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05PRAGUE1446
2005-10-07 16:20:00
SECRET
Embassy Prague
Cable title:  

CZECHS STATE THAT UIGHUR RESETTLEMENT IS POSSIBLE,

Tags:  PHUM PREL MOPS EZ 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T PRAGUE 001446 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL MOPS EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS STATE THAT UIGHUR RESETTLEMENT IS POSSIBLE,
BUT ASK, "HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS TO U.S.?"

REF: STATE 183800

Classified By: Poloff Sarah C. Peck for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

S E C R E T PRAGUE 001446

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL MOPS EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS STATE THAT UIGHUR RESETTLEMENT IS POSSIBLE,
BUT ASK, "HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS TO U.S.?"

REF: STATE 183800

Classified By: Poloff Sarah C. Peck for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) Action request paragraph 5.


2. (S) Poloff met on October 6 with Tomas Haisman, Director
of Asylum and Migration Policies at the Czech Ministry of
Interior, to discuss resettlement of 15 Uighur detainees
(reftel). Haisman called the situation "shocking," but
nevertheless held out hope that at least some of the Uighurs
could be resettled in the Czech Republic -- but only if
sufficient political will exists at the highest levels of the
Czech government. He has already sent the request to
Frantisek Bublan, Minister of Interior, who will decide
whether to forward the request to PM Jiri Paroubek.


3. (S) Haisman said the Czech response will depend in part
on how important this issue is to the USG. To improve the
chances of a positive response, he advised arranging a
meeting between Ambassador Cabaniss and senior Czech
officials to signal that this issue is a high priority. He
was less enthusiastic about the possibility of a call from
Washington. Haisman also said the Czechs will want to
conduct their own evaluation of the detainees to satisfy
themselves that the detainees do not pose an unacceptable
security risk.


4. (S) Comment: the Czechs are currently working to
strengthen relations with China and may conclude that the
cost of accepting the Uighurs -- thereby incurring China,s
wrath -- is just too high. To outweigh this concern, the USG
would need to demonstrate the importance of this issue by
arranging meetings between Ambassador Cabaniss and
high-ranking Czechs, possibly including PM Paroubek. We
expect that in the final analysis, other USG support,
including financial support for the resettlement of the
Uighurs, may be required.


5. (S) Action Request: In light of the initial Czech
response, Post requests additional points and Washington
guidance on how, and if, to approach senior Czech leadership.
CABANISS