Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUCHAREST1232
2006-08-03 16:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bucharest
Cable title:  

DEPARTURE OF LAST UZBEK REFUGEES; AMBASSADOR RECOGNIZES

Tags:  PGOV PHUM SOCI RO 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9640
PP RUEHAST
DE RUEHBM #1232 2151611
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031611Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4911
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0034
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT 0031
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0369
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0112
UNCLAS BUCHAREST 001232 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE DEPT FOR EUR/NCE - WILLIAM SILKWORTH

E.O. 12958, AS AMENDED: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI RO

SUBJECT: DEPARTURE OF LAST UZBEK REFUGEES; AMBASSADOR RECOGNIZES
ROMANIAN CONTRIBUTION AT CLOSING CEREMONY

REF: 06 BUCHAREST 00138

UNCLAS BUCHAREST 001232

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE DEPT FOR EUR/NCE - WILLIAM SILKWORTH

E.O. 12958, AS AMENDED: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM SOCI RO

SUBJECT: DEPARTURE OF LAST UZBEK REFUGEES; AMBASSADOR RECOGNIZES
ROMANIAN CONTRIBUTION AT CLOSING CEREMONY

REF: 06 BUCHAREST 00138


1. Ambassador Taubman visited Timisoara on Monday, July 31 to
celebrate the conclusion of the successful placement of 439 Uzbek
Refugees in the US, Canada, Britain, Australia, and various European
countries. The United States took in 266 of the refugees who fled
their native land after the massacre that occurred at a peaceful
demonstration in Andijan, Uzbekistan in May 2005. The ambassador
thanked the Government of Romania and the people of Timisoara for
their hospitality and sensitivity to the plight of the refugees.
The Ambassador noted that it was a sure sign of Romania's intentions
to fulfill her role as a democratic society when she agreed to
provide refuge for those fleeing political repression in their
native land. After the remarks there was a brief question and
answer period which was well attended and reported by the local and
national press.


2. The Ambassador also acknowledged the considerable efforts of the
United Nations High Commission on Refgees (UNHCR),the
International Organization for Migration, the Romanian Ministry for
Foreign Affairs, and the National Refugee Office in protecting and
caring for the Uzbeks. In his remarks Ambassador Taubman singled
out the efforts of Colonel Livius Bisca and his staff for assisting
the Uzbeks to adjust to their new, temporary home until they could
be placed in permanent settings. Clonel Bisca was extremely
sensitive to the Uzbeks' special cultural issues and needs. His
staff responded favorably when the Uzbeks asked to be allowed to
prepare their own meals. The staff also st up a temporary mosque
for religious services. The USG, in response to requests from the
camp's children and teachers, procured more than a hundred Uzbek and
Russian-language textbooks. In addition, the USG brought in
American teachers who had served as Peace Corps volunteers in
Uzbekistan to teach classes at the camp.


3. Also speaking at the closing ceremony, Romanian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs (MFA) Secretary of State Anton Niculescu
characterized the mission to relocate the refugees as an "eloquent
example" of a joint effort undertaken by the international community
to ensure protection for the refugees. UNHCR Representative
Veerapong Vongvarotai thanked the Romanians for their generosity in
receiving the Uzbeks. He added that it shows Romania to be a
responsible member of the international community when human rights
and people's lives are at stake. Mayor of Timisoara Gheorghe
Ciuhandu expressed privately to the Ambassador his appreciation for
the USG assistance in supplying material needs for the camp and for
providing leadership in making the resettlement happen.


4. Comment: The departure of the last Uzbek refugees from the
Timisoara facility brings to an end a highly successful joint
endeavor among the USG, Romania, UNHCR, and other international
partners. The closing commemoration in Timisoara received
wide-spread press play both in local and national media,
highlighting the positive move by Romanian authorities to accept the
refugees. Post has expressed appreciation to GOR interlocutors,
underscoring that this was but one of many undertakings on which we
have worked together successfully. The Romanian MFA and UNHCR have
noted that the Timisoara facility -- constructed primarily with EU
funds -- remains available for the temporary placement of further
refugees as situations warrant and with agreement from the GOR. End
Comment.

TAUBMAN