NEXT STEPS ON NORTH KOREAN ASYLUM SEEKERS IN PHNOM

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 000377 SIPDIS SIPDIS GENEVA FOR RMA E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2017 TAGS: PREF CB KN SUBJECT: NEXT STEPS ON NORTH KOREAN ASYLUM SEEKERS IN PHNOM PENH REF: A. STATE 6773 ¶B. PHNOM PENH 89 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR SUSAN SUTTON, REASONS 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (C) Per reftel, Refcoord contacted UNHCR on January 19 to encourage it to instruct UNHCR Phnom Penh to interview expeditiously the four North Koreans who have expressed interest in U.S. resettlement. UNHCR Deputy Regional Representative Giuseppe De Vincentis responded that UNHCR expected to conduct telephone interviews of the group, using Bangkok-based Korean speaker, on January 19. He said that he expected persons of concern letters to be issued shortly thereafter. De Vincentis asked Refcoord what UNHCR should say to the North Koreans about U.S. resettlement. Refcoord responded that UNHCR should handle the cases in the same manner as cases in Thailand, including using the U.S Refugee Program information sheet that the USG has provided. BOYCE