Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DHAKA5828
2006-09-13 07:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
LOGJAM OVER ROHINGYAS RESOLVED WITH SIGNING OF
how-toVZCZCXRO2512 RR RUEHCI DE RUEHKA #5828 2560724 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 130724Z SEP 06 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1565 INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 7831 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7561 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1271 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 8680 RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 2490 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9326 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0521
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 005828
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR: PRM (EKELLEY)
BANGKOK FOR: POL/REF (JADLER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2016
TAGS: BG PREF PHUM
SUBJECT: LOGJAM OVER ROHINGYAS RESOLVED WITH SIGNING OF
SUB-AGREEMENT
REF: DHAKA 05709
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 005828
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR: PRM (EKELLEY)
BANGKOK FOR: POL/REF (JADLER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2016
TAGS: BG PREF PHUM
SUBJECT: LOGJAM OVER ROHINGYAS RESOLVED WITH SIGNING OF
SUB-AGREEMENT
REF: DHAKA 05709
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4(d)
1. (C) The annual sub-agreement between UNHCR and the GOB
regarding UNHCR's work in Rohingya refugee camps was finally
signed on September 7 (reftel). UNHCR Country Representative
Pia Pritz-Phiri credited Ambassador and PRM A/S Sauerbrey's
recent visit to Cox's Bazar, and our follow-up meetings with
the GOB ministry that handles refugees, for helping to break
the nine-month logjam in getting the agreement approved.
2. (C) Under its memorandum of understanding with the GOB,
UNHCR funds operations at the two official Rohingya camps
near Cox's Bazar. Each year a sub-agreement is signed
specifying funding for the year. According to UNHCR, the
controversy this year resulted from UNHCR's insistence that
"excessive" overhead costs of over 50 percent be reduced.
UNHCR also requested a reduction in the number of GOB
officials whose salaries UNHCR paid.
3. (C) In a meeting on September 4 to follow up on A/S
Sauerbrey's visit in August, Syed Jaglul Pasha, Head of the
Rohingya Refugee Cell at the Ministry for Food and Disaster
Management, assured us that the sub-agreement would be signed
by the end of the week. Pasha also confirmed that Shoyebur
Rahman, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner
responsible for the Cox's Bazar camps (reftel),had retired
and been replaced in an acting capacity by a Ministry
official from Dhaka.
4. (C) We expressed the hope that this personnel change,
coupled with the signing of the sub-agreement, would signal
the start of better cooperation between the Ministry and
UNHCR on the ground. Pasha agreed, and replied positively to
our request that the Ministry work with UNHCR to begin
repairing dilapitated and collapsing refugee shelters in the
camps as soon as possible.
5. (C) UNHCR's Pritz-Phiri told us on September 12 that UNHCR
field staff have had productive meetings with the new RRRC
and is hopeful that UNHCR and the GOB can finally start
moving forward in addressing concerns in the camps. She is
planning a briefing soon for diplomats to update them us on
UNHCR's plans now that the sub-agreement has been signed.
BUTENIS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR: PRM (EKELLEY)
BANGKOK FOR: POL/REF (JADLER)
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/13/2016
TAGS: BG PREF PHUM
SUBJECT: LOGJAM OVER ROHINGYAS RESOLVED WITH SIGNING OF
SUB-AGREEMENT
REF: DHAKA 05709
Classified By: A/DCM D.C. McCullough, reason para 1.4(d)
1. (C) The annual sub-agreement between UNHCR and the GOB
regarding UNHCR's work in Rohingya refugee camps was finally
signed on September 7 (reftel). UNHCR Country Representative
Pia Pritz-Phiri credited Ambassador and PRM A/S Sauerbrey's
recent visit to Cox's Bazar, and our follow-up meetings with
the GOB ministry that handles refugees, for helping to break
the nine-month logjam in getting the agreement approved.
2. (C) Under its memorandum of understanding with the GOB,
UNHCR funds operations at the two official Rohingya camps
near Cox's Bazar. Each year a sub-agreement is signed
specifying funding for the year. According to UNHCR, the
controversy this year resulted from UNHCR's insistence that
"excessive" overhead costs of over 50 percent be reduced.
UNHCR also requested a reduction in the number of GOB
officials whose salaries UNHCR paid.
3. (C) In a meeting on September 4 to follow up on A/S
Sauerbrey's visit in August, Syed Jaglul Pasha, Head of the
Rohingya Refugee Cell at the Ministry for Food and Disaster
Management, assured us that the sub-agreement would be signed
by the end of the week. Pasha also confirmed that Shoyebur
Rahman, the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner
responsible for the Cox's Bazar camps (reftel),had retired
and been replaced in an acting capacity by a Ministry
official from Dhaka.
4. (C) We expressed the hope that this personnel change,
coupled with the signing of the sub-agreement, would signal
the start of better cooperation between the Ministry and
UNHCR on the ground. Pasha agreed, and replied positively to
our request that the Ministry work with UNHCR to begin
repairing dilapitated and collapsing refugee shelters in the
camps as soon as possible.
5. (C) UNHCR's Pritz-Phiri told us on September 12 that UNHCR
field staff have had productive meetings with the new RRRC
and is hopeful that UNHCR and the GOB can finally start
moving forward in addressing concerns in the camps. She is
planning a briefing soon for diplomats to update them us on
UNHCR's plans now that the sub-agreement has been signed.
BUTENIS