CHILE REAFFIRMS WILLINGNESS TO RESETTLE CUBAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTIAGO 000272

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2016
TAGS: SMIG PREF PREL CI CU GUANTANAMO
SUBJECT: CHILE REAFFIRMS WILLINGNESS TO RESETTLE CUBAN
MIGRANTS

REF: SANTIAGO 219

Classified By: DCM ELYAMAUCHI FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. Chile reaffirmed its willingness to resettle
up to 28 protected Cuban migrants currently at Guantanamo in
a meeting today with visiting PRM Officer and Consul General,
and will provide the migrants appropriate residence and work
permits. The Chileans expect to be ready to interview
migrants at GTMO by the end of February. The GOC prefers the
transfer of migrants to be made quietly and without
publicity. The Chileans asked that the USG provide financial
support to the migrants for one year to assure their
successful integration; the PRM Officer indicated a
willingness to be flexible in addressing Chilean concerns.
The GOC left open the possibility that additional Cuban
migrants might be accepted for resettlement if the experience
with this initial group is a positive one. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Chile reaffirmed its willingness to resettle up to 28
protected Cuban migrants currently at the Guantanamo Naval
Base during a meeting today with visiting PRM Senior Advisor
Robert Gehring and Consul General. Ambassador Ricardo
Concha, Director General for Consular Affairs, raised the
possibility that Chile would be willing to receive additional
Cuban migrants in the future, if the experience with this
first group is a positive one. Carmen Gloria DeNegri, Chief
of the Foreigner's Department, Ministry of the Interior,
which is responsible for refugee and resettlement programs in
Chile, also participated in the meeting.


3. (C) Discussion centered around Chilean concerns about the
ability of the migrants to successfully resettle in Chile.
The GOC emphasized that it limits its responsibility to
offering resettlement and providing documentation for the
migrants to reside and work in Chile, it does not assume
responsibility for the financial costs or logistics of
resettlement. The Chileans expressed concern that some
migrants might not become self-sufficient within the six
month period of resettlement support offered by the USG, and
that living costs would exceed the proposed total financial
assistance of $3,000 per migrant, distributed in monthly
installments. While no final time frame or figure was agreed
upon, Gehring indicated flexibility and a willingness to
consider providing support for up to one year. He also noted
that in other resettlement countries, the International
Organization for Migration and a local NGO often managed the
logistics of resettlement and the distribution of the monthly
stipend to the migrants. The Chileans noted the existence of
a Cuban community in Santiago, numbering about 3,000, that
would be likely to help out.


4. (C) The Chileans were prepared to move quickly. They wish
to interview migrants and will inform the Embassy when a
delegation of two or three Ministry of Interior officials is
ready to visit GTMO. They hope the visit will take place in
late February or early March at the latest. The GOC also
wishes to exchange diplomatic notes confirming the terms
under which it will accept these migrants.


5. (C) Ms. DeNegri said that Chile will provide migrants one
year temporary residence and the national ID card (RUT)
necessary to obtain work and many other services. Migrants
would have access to any government services available to
Chileans, such as schools for minor children and basic health
care. After the initial year, migrants may apply for
permanent residence, and after five, citizenship. The GOC
recognizes its responsibility not to return the migrants to
Cuba.


6. (C) The Chileans indicated that they did not want to
publicize the resettlement.


7. (C) Gehring told the Chileans that the State Department
would be willing to consider proposals for assistance for
refugee program capacity building in Chile through one of its
partners, such as IOM or UNHCR. He also said the Department
would also be willing to consider an international visitor
grant for Chilean refugee officials to learn about US refugee
resettlement programs.


8. (C) In response to a question from the Consul General,
Ambassador Concha and Ms. DeNegri confirmed that the upcoming
inauguration of a new government in Chile should not affect
Chile's willingness to accept these migrants.


9. (C) COMMENT. Post will follow-up with the MFA to ensure
that the momentum developed in today's meeting is not lost.
We will advise the Department of the proposed dates of the
Chilean visit to GTMO as soon as they are available. END
COMMENT.










KELLY