Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BANGKOK2120
2006-04-11 10:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:  

EMBASSY BANGKOK NORTH KOREAN RESPONSE PLAN

Tags:  PHUM PREF TH KN KS DPRK 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 002120 

SIPDIS

PDAS RICHARD GREENE, PRM FOR DAS RYAN, PRM/A RUSCH, PRM/A
SHEEHAN,

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREF TH KN KS DPRK
SUBJECT: EMBASSY BANGKOK NORTH KOREAN RESPONSE PLAN

REF: (A) SUTTON/RAPSON E-MAIL 4/7/06 (B) RAPSON/ADLER
E-MAIL 4/7/06

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN M. SUTTON. REASON: 1.4 (C)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BANGKOK 002120

SIPDIS

PDAS RICHARD GREENE, PRM FOR DAS RYAN, PRM/A RUSCH, PRM/A
SHEEHAN,

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREF TH KN KS DPRK
SUBJECT: EMBASSY BANGKOK NORTH KOREAN RESPONSE PLAN

REF: (A) SUTTON/RAPSON E-MAIL 4/7/06 (B) RAPSON/ADLER
E-MAIL 4/7/06

Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN M. SUTTON. REASON: 1.4 (C)


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see action
request para 6.


2. (C) Summary: Deputy Chief of Mission and Political
Counselor, along with a team of USG members who will have a
role in assisting NKs at the Embassy, met on April 10 to
discuss details of the walk-in operational plan. The Embassy
NK response team has been briefed to respond to the
situation in varying case scenarios. Post requests PRM
assistance in providing the -- Statement Concerning the U.S.
Refugee Admissions Program -- in Korean and English as soon
as possible, authorizing IOM expenditure to house NKs, and
sending TDY Korean speakers for translation. The Thai
"Songkran" New Year holiday is a week-long celebration. Most
RTG government offices, businesses, international
organizations and embassies, including AmEmbassy Bangkok,
will be close on Thursday, April 13 and Friday, April 14 and
it may be difficult to contact the RTG and the ROK during
this period. End summary.


3. (C) USG NORTH KOREAN (NK) RESPONSE TEAM PREPARATIONS


A. The RSO and local guards are briefed and prepared
to direct and speak to NKs at a comfortable location
to the side of the Embassy main gate. Taking into
consideration rain and heat the location is sheltered
and shaded. Water will be available. Guards will be
provided with Korean-language cards to assist NKs
until Embassy interpreter arrives on the scene.


B. Post has identified USG interpreters and they
will be able to assist over the holiday. UNHCR also offered
assistance from their ROK-seconded Korean speaker if
required.


C. Media issues: Embassy PAO will address any media
issues that arise and has prepared talking points. Safe house
management and staff have been instructed to refer all media
inquires to PAO.


D. Embassy NK response team has been briefed on
transport arrangements to safehouse. Thai language taxi

cards directing NK to safe house are available. If needed,
Embassy personnel will accompany NKs to safe house.


E. Safe house options: IOM has reserved space at a
guesthouse relatively close to the Embassy. The safe house
will provide NKs with food and other supplies during their
residence. Guesthouse staff has experience in housing
transit refugees en route to a resettlement country.


F. UNHCR will be open on Friday, April 14 and have
personnel on stand-by to visit NKs at the safe house in order
to issue them UNHCR POC protection letter, if required, and
begin process of resettlement country referral.


G. All USG officers present have been issued each
other's cell phone numbers and are on standby to respond if
this issue arises over the Thai holiday weekend.


4. (C) THAI NEW YEAR HOLIDAY PERIOD

The Thai "Songkran" New Year holiday is a week-long
celebration. Consequently, most RTG government offices,
businesses, international organizations and embassies,
including AmEmbassy Bangkok, will be closed on Thursday,
April 13 and Friday, April 14 and will re-open again on
Monday, April 17th. Due to internal planning and direct
coordination with UNHCR and IOM, Post is prepared for NK
refugees during this holiday period. Embassy NK response
team members have been instructed to be as forward leaning as
possible in dealing with this group. However, given that it
is a major holiday in Thailand, it may be difficult to
contact the RTG and the ROK during this period. It should be
expected that coordination may be slower over the holiday
than the normal work week.


5. (C) MINIMAL MEDIA ATTENTION DESIRED

Post emphasizes the need for minimal media attention and
request PRM to inform the NGO group who may be accompanying
NKs to Bangkok to discourage media coverage. Any media
attention may jeopardize the existing NK resettlement program
to South Korea in not just Thailand but other countries where
NK seek refuge. Considering the RTG and ROK's sensitivities
on this matter, it is crucial that USG assistance to NK
refugee proceeds as discreetly as possible.


6. (C) ACTION REQUEST FOR PRM.

Post requests from PRM the Korean translation of the
Statement Concerning the U.S. Refugee Admission program as
soon as possible. UNHCR is briefed on the statement content
and will require both language copies to forward to NKs to
ensure that they are accurately informed of their
resettlement options. Additionally, if NKs are to use IOM's
safe house arrangement, IOM has requested that PRM issue a
document authorizing IOM's expenditure on room and board for
their accounting purposes. A cost breakdown can be provided
if required, but it is estimated to cost approximately 20 USD
per person per day. Three meals a day are included in this
estimate. Lastly, Post request TDY Korean speaker support to
interpret for NKs in foreseeable resettlement interviews and
processing to the U.S.

BOYCE