NEW MINISTER OF DISPLACEMENT AND MIGRATION BRINGS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002028

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
AIDPAY

WASHINGTON FOR USAID HQ
GENEVA FOR RMA
CAIRO AND AMMAN FOR REFCOORDS CHEYNE AND KANESHIRO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2016
TAGS: PREF PHUM PNAT SMIG KDEM IZ
SUBJECT: NEW MINISTER OF DISPLACEMENT AND MIGRATION BRINGS
POSITIVE NEW OUTLOOK TO MODM


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Classified By: POLCOUNS MARGARET M. SCOBEY
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) Summary: PolCouns, RefCoord and IRMO/MODM
consultants had a positive initial meeting with the
new Minister of Displacement and Migration Abd-al-
Samad Rahman Sultan on May 31. Sultan was well
informed about all the populations of concern to the
Ministry, and expressed a desire for a continuing
dialogue with the USG and the international
community on issues of mutual interest. End
summary.


2. (C) In a May 31 meeting with incoming PolCouns,
RefCoord, Poloffs and IRMO/MODM Consultants, newly
appointed Minister of Displacement and Migration
Abd-al-Samad Rahman Sultan expressed his desire to
work together with the USG to bring the ministry up
to an international standard. Sultan was open to
PolCouns' suggestion that Iraq consider signing the
refugee convention, but noted that the MFA would
have a primary role in matters involving
international agreements. When asked whether he had
met with UNHCR-Iraq, he said not yet, and indicated
willingness to work with the UN and the
international community on matters of mutual
interest. PolCouns encouraged Sultan to reach out
to international organizations and the donor
community. RefCoord will return separately to
discus policy issues in greater detail.


3. (SBU) The first issue the Minister raised was his
desire to assist Iraqis in bad situations abroad,
specifically jailed Iraqi asylum seekers in Denmark
and Russia. He asked for the support of the US on
issues relating to the many foreign refugee
populations in Iraq. The new Minister also said that
Iraqi refugees in Iran were among his first
priorities, as they are not integrated into Iranian
society and UNHCR is "very weak" in Iran. He wants
to encourage them to return to their home country,
and to provide them with assistance to do that.
PolCouns offered USG help in looking at solutions in
the short or long term.


4. (SBU) When PolCouns asked Sultan to make special
efforts to coordinate with the Ministry of the
Interior to increase protection of the Palestinians
since they are a community of special vulnerability,
the Minister said MODM was willing to coordinate but
had limited resources. He asked specifically for
financial assistance to pay rent for the
Palestinians, saying that UNHCR is discontinuing
these payments. PolCouns promised RefCoord would
follow up on the rent issue with UNHCR. (note: we
understand UNHCR has provided funds to cover rent
for the Palestinians through December, 2006.)


5. (SBU) The new minister was well informed on
internal displacements due to recent sectarian
violence, noting current estimates of about 17,000
displaced families, with more than 3,000 displaced
families in Baghdad alone. The Minister stated that
through coordination with other Ministries, MODM can
ensure that needy displaced persons get support. He
also mentioned the 11 MODM field offices which are
working on tracking displacement.


6. (C) Sultan acknowledged weaknesses in some
sections of the Ministry and the need for further
capacity building, particularly in the planning
department which is responsible for both internal
planning and development of proposals to present to
the international community. He expressed an
interest in assistance from the USG on training and
workshops to address those weaknesses.


7. (SBU) IRMO/MODM explained that the IRMO
Consultants' purpose is to provide technical advice
and assistance to help the Ministry develop capacity
to fulfill its mandate. IRMO mentioned that it
could help the Ministry in many areas, including
organization of the Ministry, interaction with the

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international community, refining methodology of
MODM statistics to increase the credibility of MODM
reports, etc. IRMO/MODM will return separately to
discuss technical capacity building support in
greater detail.


8. (C) COMMENT: The new Minister is articulate,
personal, and speaks very good English. Although he
has been at the ministry only two weeks and has no
previous background in refugee issues other than his
personal experiences as a refugee in Iran, he was
well informed about his Ministry's mandate and
needs. He included two of his Director-Generals in
the meeting, and based on his comments had consulted
in advance with them on substantive matters -- a
welcome change from the previous Minister's
approach. This new Minister will present well to
donors, and we are hopeful that he will follow
through on the statements made in this initial
meeting. We are looking forward to working with him
and will be taking him up on his offer to meet
regularly with both RefCoord and IRMO. end comment



9. (C) BIONOTE: Attended Basrah Medical College and
completed his medical studies in Tehran. He
operated a medical clinic in Qom for a number of
years and is said to have treated members of both
the current and former Iraqi Prime Ministers'
families.


KHALILZAD