CZECHS ARE CONSIDERING REQUEST TO RESETTLE CUBAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001033

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

EUR/NCE FOR ERIC FICHTE, WHA/CCA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2016
TAGS: PREF SMIG CU EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS ARE CONSIDERING REQUEST TO RESETTLE CUBAN
MIGRANTS

REF: STATE 124445

Classified By: Political-Economic Counselor Mike Dodman
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary. The Czech MFA is considering reftel request
to resettle Cuban political migrants in the Czech Republic.
The Ministry of Interior would prefer to wait until 2008,
when a proposed change in resettlement policy would
facilitate such resettlement, but will defer to the decision
of the MFA. Post predicts that the MFA will decide to accept
at least some of the migrants, barring any unforeseen shift
in Czech foreign policy that may come with a new Czech
government. End summary.


2. (C) Poloff met with the Czech Ministry of Interior's Head
of the Unit for Policy, International Relations and
Information on Countries of Origin Pavla Fridrichova on
August 1 to discuss the resettlement of Cuban political
migrants in the Czech Republic. Fridrichova said the MOI is
inclined to recommend against resettling the migrants in the
short term, preferring to wait for the implementation of a
new resettlement "scheme" proposed by the MOI. (Note: the
scheme has not been publicly announced. End note.) This
scheme, which must be approved by the government, would
improve the legal framework for resettling migrants in the
Czech Republic starting in 2008. However, Fridrichova said
the MOI would agree to resettle the migrants on an ad hoc
basis sooner, if directed to do so by the MFA.


3. (C) At a recent meeting in Washington, Deputy FM Tomas
Pojar asked the USG to clarify that the migrants are
political, rather than economic, migrants. Poloff and Polec
Chief met with MFA Director of the Americans Department Jakub
Skalnik on August 23, and confirmed the migrants are
political dissidents based on the finding by DHS/USCIS
(Citizenship and Immigration Services) asylum officers that
the migrants have a "well-founded fear" of persecution and/or
torture. The MFA continues to evaluate the request.


4. (C) Comment. Given the current Czech government's sympathy
and support for Cuban dissidents, we predict the MFA will
agree to resettle at least some of the migrants (particularly
those with compelling stories of political repression). This
resettlement effort would probably take place in the short
term rather than being delayed until 2008, especially in
light of the political uncertainty in Cuba. However, it is
too early to predict the details, such as the number of
migrants or the timeline. This assessment is predicated on
the assumption that Czech foreign policy will not change
significantly once a new Czech government is formed, the
timeline for which is still uncertain. Assuming the Czechs
decide in principle to resettle some or all of the migrants,
the Czechs will likely request detailed biographical
information to help them determine which, if any, migrants
should be considered for resettlement. The Czechs may also
want to travel to Guantanamo Bay to meet the migrants before
making a final decision. End comment
CABANISS