TIBETAN UPDATE, AUGUST 31

C O N F I D E N T I A L KATHMANDU 002390 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2016 TAGS: PREF NP SUBJECT: TIBETAN UPDATE, AUGUST 31 REF: A. KATHMANDU 1403 ¶B. KATHMANDU 1702 Classified By: Ambassador James F. Moriarty. Reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) According to Douglas DiSalvo, Associate Protection Officer at the Kathmandu Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),there were 105 transiting Tibetan refugees housed in the Tibetan Reception Center (TRC) as of August 31. There were 185 new arrivals and 126 departures during the month of August. Total departures for 2006 had reached nearly 2,000. The overall number of arrivals year-to-date was nearly 1300, nearly the same as last year at this time. DiSalvo stated that everything was currently working smoothly at the TRC. There have been no problems regarding Nepalese exit permits or Indian entry permits. DiSalvo said that, typically, the number of refugees begins to rise at the TRC during September and October, when the colder weather allows for safer passage across frozen passes in the mountains. ¶2. (C) DiSalvo stated that the US-funded expansion project at the TRC had fallen behind schedule. It was now expected to be finished by October 15. He stressed, however, that the new building would already be habitable by October 1. The TRC planned to house women and children only in the new expansion and men in the existing building, avoiding any problems that may arise by having both sexes in the same building. Comment -------------- ¶3. (C) The number of refugees is tracking along the same lines as last year and, barring unforeseen events, refugees should continue to transit safely through Nepal. Post is pleased to see the building expansion moving along, given the extended work stoppage during the people's movement in April. MORIARTY