KRG TELLS UNCHR THEY OPPOSE MAKHMOUR INTEGRATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 003036

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/16/2016
TAGS: PREF PTER PHUM UNHCR IZ TU
SUBJECT: KRG TELLS UNCHR THEY OPPOSE MAKHMOUR INTEGRATION
IN KURDISTAN

REF: A. A) 06 BAGHDAD 02768

B. B) 06 BAGHDAD 02377

Classified By: PolCouns Margaret Scobey for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)



1. (C) Summary: UNHCR-Iraq officials Burgi Englbrecht and
Charlie Lynch met August 6-8 with KRG officials and residents
of the Makhmour refugee camp. According to Englebrecht and
Lynch, KRG Deputy Prime Minister Omar Fattah Hussayn, KRG
Minister of Interior Osman Haji Mahmud, and Chief of Staff to
the KRG President Fuad Hussein expressed opposition to local
integration in Kurdistan for Makhmour residents unwilling to
repatriate to Turkey. The Minister of Interior claimed that
since February 22, more than 200,000 IDPs had migrated to
Kurdistan, causing a severe strain on housing and services.
The KRG officials told UNHCR that they viewed Makhmour as a
GOI-led issue and would support any GOI security and
repatriation efforts. End Summary.


KRG Embrace Repatriation, Oppose Resettlement
--------------


2. (C) According to a readout provided to PolOff, in separate
meetings August 6-8 UNHCR-Iraqi head of delegation Janvier de
Reidmatten and UNHCR reps Charlie Lynch and Burgi Englbrecht
informed KRG officials that their support for the Makhmour
refugee camp could soon halt due to indications that the
camp,s civilian nature had been compromised by PKK
infiltration. UNHCR officials highlighted the importance of
finding durable solutions for the 10,000 Turkish Kurd
refugees located in the camp. KRG officials responded by
saying although they would support repatriation, they would
oppose resettlement in KRG areas. The KRG Minister of
Interior explained that the current living situation in the
KRG was already strained due to an influx of 200,000
displaced Iraqis.


3. (C) The KRG officials also emphasized to UNCHR that they
neither were nor wanted to be the primary authority for
Makhmour camp for security or repatriation issues. They
explained they would support the GOI in its efforts, but were
not willing to take lead. The KRG currently provides
administrative services to the camp, while the Iraqi Army
provides security support.

UNCHR: Voluntary Repatriation Difficult but Better
-------------- --------------


4. (C) Based on these meetings, Englebrecht opined to PolOff
that repatriation would be the most viable solution for the
majority of the Makhmour refugee camp. During the visit, the
UNHCR group talked with 100 Makhmour residents who confirmed
their desire to return to Turkey if provided with full
amnesty. Englebrecht admitted, however, that the amnesty
that residents desired would most likely not be granted by
the Turkish government. Englebrecht added that if
repatriation occurred, it would require a long administrative
process spanning a year or more.


Mayor Invites Inspection of Camp
--------------


5. (C) During UNHCR,s visit to the camp, the mayor claimed
that the civilian nature of the camp had not been compromised
by the PKK. He asserted that no weapons existed in the camp
and that it was not providing direct or indirect support to
PKK members. He invited an inspection to take place to
confirm this assertion. Despite the mayor,s claims, a
resident told UNHCR reps that 30 members of PKK had come to
the camp to rest the week of July 15. The UNHCR reported to
PolOff that they were eager to take the mayor up on his offer
of an inspection, and would encourage the GOI to support a
formal inspection and assessment through the auspices of the
Iraqi Army (3rd Battalian of the 3rd Brigade). This
battalion currently monitors and inspects the camp.

SPECKHARD