Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD5060
2007-11-28 10:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:  

GOP DECLINES UNHCR HELP FOR IDPS FROM SWAT

Tags:  PGOV PTER MOPS PREF UNHCR EAID PK 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 281034Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3516
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 0950
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 7839
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 6803
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 2349
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 1127
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE PRIORITY 1067
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 8208
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 4201
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 2765
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 005060 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PTER MOPS PREF UNHCR EAID PK
SUBJECT: GOP DECLINES UNHCR HELP FOR IDPS FROM SWAT

REF: ISLAMABAD 4993

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 005060

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/26/2017
TAGS: PGOV PTER MOPS PREF UNHCR EAID PK
SUBJECT: GOP DECLINES UNHCR HELP FOR IDPS FROM SWAT

REF: ISLAMABAD 4993

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: Citing concern about the optics,
Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority declined
to approve the Northwest Frontier Province's request for UN
assistance to help displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing the
violence in Swat. NDMA claims it has sufficient tents and
food, but provincial authorities are frustrated by the lack
of supply. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society is authorized
to provide assistance and has begun meeting some needs; the
International Committee of the Red Cross is also starting
to respond. IDP numbers are estimated to range from
40,000-60,000; we cannot confirm what seems to be a high
estimate. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) UNHCR Deputy Representative Michael Zwack confirmed
his organization was told that UNHCR assistance is not/not
needed to meet the needs of thousands of people fleeing the
violence in Swat. Gen. (Retd.) Farooq of Pakistan's
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) told Zwack
that "Pakistan is not a banana republic" and can take care
of its own. Farooq also allegedly gave the Northwest
Frontier Province (NWFP) Special Home Secretary for
Refugees and Security, Tippu Khan, a hard time for
requesting UNHCR assistance. Khan shared his frustration
with UNHCR about not getting the assistance that is
supposedly available.


3. (C) Farooq told UNHCR that Pakistan produces and stocks
tents, provides them to others as needed, and has food and
supplies available, so he does not want any UN tents, food,
or other assistance. Zwack believes Farooq's position
stems in part from his fear of adverse consequences should
it become clear through UNCHR logos that Pakistan had asked
for international help. However, Farooq is allowing the
Pakistan Red Crescent Society, also approached by Tippu
Khan, to assist IDPs. Because the Red Crescent is local
and Muslim, its optics are acceptable. UNHCR nevertheless
told Farooq and the NDMA that they are willing to help, if
requested, with advice, technical assistance, supplies,
water bladders, food, or whatever is needed.


4. (C) ICRC and UNHCR contacts told Consulate Peshawar
that an initial attempt, now aborted, to establish an IDP
camp may be evidence that some assistance would be
welcome. The Bari Kot camp, about ten kilometers from the
district capital of Saidu Sharif, reportedly will not be
used after all due to water shortages and intimidation by
Maulana Fazlullah, the militant Swat leader now in control
of much of the area. ICRC plans to reach out to residents
in neighboring districts to offer assistance to those who
have fled Swat. A transit camp in Malakand is helping
people move to the Benazir Sports Complex in Nowshera.
Consulate Peshawar learned that Red Crescent is providing
some assistance in that camp, but the Army appears to have
the lead.


5. (C) Zwack met again with NWFP authorities in Peshawar,
who estimate that 40,000 to 60,000 Swat residents have
already fled the region. Zwack admitted it is impossible
to confirm what appears to be a high estimate, but UNHCR is
accepting this figure for the time being. ICRC has an
assessment team in Swat and will have a better figure by
the end of this week. Most of the displaced are thought to
have taken shelter with family or friends, although Tippu
Khan said there are "a few" who came forward for assistance
and are currently housed in unused government buildings.
As far as UNHCR is aware, there is no one in tents at this
time. Afghans are not at issue here as such, but Zwack was
assured that all residents in potential danger, both
Pakistani and Afghan, have been told to leave the areas of
risk, and anyone who asks for assistance will be helped,
regardless of nationality.


6. (C) COMMENT. In what form, or how soon, meaningful
assistance mechanisms will be delivered is not yet known.
The Red Crescent and ICRC are both in the initial stages of
assistance and UNHCR is on the sidelines, so it may not be

ISLAMABAD 00005060 002 OF 002


soon enough. Nights in Swat continue to grow colder,
although there is no snow yet, but the confrontation
between militants and the military shows little sign of
abating.

PATTERSON