CONCERNS ABOUT JALOZAI REFUGEE CAMP CLOSING

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003811

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV PK
SUBJECT: CONCERNS ABOUT JALOZAI REFUGEE CAMP CLOSING

REF: ISLAMABAD 3276

Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) Summary: In separate meetings, Ambassador and DCM
raised with Interior Minister Sherpao our concern that the
GOP's decision to close the Jalozai refugee camp by August 31
would create a political and humanitarian crisis. Sherpao
confirmed receiving similar demarches from Afghanistan and
UNCHR. He said that the GOP would stop repatriation for
Ramadan and likely would wait until March 2008 to resume
repatriations. End Summary.


2. (U) The Jalozai refugee camp is located 35 km southwest of
Peshawar and is one of the largest refugee camps in
Pakistan. The camp has 109,000 residents and resembles a
large rural village, with free-standing homes and many
shops. Pursuant to an agreement between the GOA, the GOP, and
the UNHCR the Jalozai refugee camp was scheduled for
closure by 31 August 2007. The camp residents were informed
of the impending closure in February 2007; however, the GOP
did not take any steps to close the camp until a few days
ago.


3. (C) In anticipation of the 31 August deadline, the GOP
surrounded the camp with 700 Frontier Constabulary forces.
The security forces have not entered the camp but have asked
all shop owners and residents to evacuate the building in
preparation for demolition. They have destroyed some lumber
shops and other non-essential buildings. There is panic in
the camp as most residents have made no preparations for
either moving or for the impending demolition. To date, only
around 10,000 individuals have been repatriated by the UNHCR.
The UNHCR and the GOP estimate that only a few thousand more
refugees can be repatriated before the start of Ramadan
(early September).


4. (SBU) The UNHCR is anticipating a humanitarian crisis if
all the refugees are forced to repatriate within the
allotted time. None of the parties involved has the capacity
to process all of the refugees and safely resettle them in
Afghanistan within 10 days. With the onset of Ramadan and
winter in Afghanistan, the refugees will not be able to
resettle properly. These displaced people will either remain
in Pakistan illegally or live in make-shift housing on the
other side of the border. In the worst case scenario, if the
GOP continues to pressure the refugees, the UNHCR will have
to abandon the camp for security reasons.


5. (C) The UNHCR has been urging the GOP at various levels
and also seeking the GOA's leverage in asking the GOP to
reach an agreement with the tribal leaders in the Jalozai
camp to evacuate in March 2008, as soon as repatriation
season reopens. The GOP's current pressure has made it clear
to the tribal leaders that the camp has to be closed.


6. (C) DCM delivered a demarche to Interior Minister Aftab
Sherpao on 25 August urging him to stop the evacuation until
March 2008. The Ambassador followed up with Sherpao on 30
August. Minister Sherpao told the Ambassador that 3,000-4,000
more refugees were expected to leave before the beginning of
Ramadan (o/a September 12) and that repatriation would be
suspended for Ramadan. Sherpao was considering UNHCR's
request to delay the closure; he had received a similar
request from GOA officials who reported that Afghanistan was
not prepared to receive all the Jalozai refugees. Sherpao
said that the GOP will probably delay further repatriation
until the recommended March 2008 date and then make sure that
the Jalozai refugees are the first to be repatriated.


7. (C) Comment: Averting this forced and sudden repatriation
is a positive sign of improved bilateral relations. However,
Pakistan remains eager to close the three remaining Afghan
refugee camps as soon as possible. End Comment.
PATTERSON