Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD954
2007-02-28 09:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
PAKISTAN'S REFUGEE REPATRIATION PLAN WORRIES UNHCR
how-toVZCZCXRO9904 PP RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #0954 0590912 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 280912Z FEB 07 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7284 INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 1970 RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY 0027 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 4059 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 1197 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 1973 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 6855 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 7887 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0417 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 2705 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 4881 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 1544 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 9832 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 1919 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 000954
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017
TAGS: PREFF PREL PTER PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN'S REFUGEE REPATRIATION PLAN WORRIES UNHCR
REF: ISLAMABAD 00709
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 000954
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017
TAGS: PREFF PREL PTER PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN'S REFUGEE REPATRIATION PLAN WORRIES UNHCR
REF: ISLAMABAD 00709
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Representatives from the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)'s Geneva office met with
the DCM on February 19th. The representatives expressed
concern that, in Pakistan's desire to close camps and reduce
its refugee population, the government might violate UNHCR
repatriation principles or begin repatriations before a
proper plan was in place on both sides of the border. The
representatives worried that the international community was
backing an effort to repatriate Afghans to an environment
that, because of the anticipated spring offensive, would not
be safe or sustainable for returnees. UNHCR also asked the
U.S. to be prepared to ask Pakistan to host additional
refugees should the anticipated Taliban spring offensive lead
to new Afghan refugee flows. End summary.
2. (C) On February 19, UNHCR Geneva and UNHCR Islamabad
representatives called on the DCM to discuss Pakistan's plan
to close refugee camps and encourage refugees to return to
Afghanistan. UNHCR Geneva Director Janet Lim said that
UNHCR had serious reservations about Pakistan's plans--or
lack thereof--to close four Afghan refugee camps this year.
In particular, UNHCR worried that its basic principles
(voluntary repatriation, alternative sites for refugees
unwilling/unable to return, and orderly camp closures) might
be violated. Lim asked that the U.S. be prepared to speak
out if Pakistan and Afghanistan did not follow these
principles when dealing with camp closures
3. (C) Lim noted that the Government of Afghanistan was
unprepared and unable to accept a large inflow of refugees
from Pakistan. Pakistan was looking for a "quick-fix" absent
adequate preparation on both sides of the border, she said.
To make returns sustainable and long-term, Afghanistan and
the international community should invest more time and money
in reconstruction and livelihood schemes. The international
community should assist the Afghan government articulate its
needs relating to the repatriation process.
Potential Effects of the Spring Offensive
--------------
4. (C) For the first time, UNHCR representatives articulated
concerns over the potential for a Taliban spring offensive to
create new refugee flows into Pakistan. If a spring
offensive were to create a large influx of Afghan refugees,
UNHCR asked that the US help to persuade Pakistan to "handle
them graciously," as it had for the past 27 years.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) We, along with most of our NATO allies, continue to
encourage Pakistan to close refugee camps, many of which have
become breeding grounds for security problems that impact
Afghanistan. Pakistan agrees the camps should be closed,
though it also understands its international obligations and
has never indicated to us that it would consider violating
UNHCR policies. Indeed, the recent announcement that
Pakistan would use national funds to enhance the repatriation
package being offered to families who agree to return to
Afghanistan signals that Pakistan is committed to
voluntariness. As UNHCR notes, though, before large numbers
of refugees voluntarily return home, they will need to know
they have security, shelter, and a livelihood waiting for
them. End comment.
CROCKER
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/28/2017
TAGS: PREFF PREL PTER PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN'S REFUGEE REPATRIATION PLAN WORRIES UNHCR
REF: ISLAMABAD 00709
Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. Representatives from the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)'s Geneva office met with
the DCM on February 19th. The representatives expressed
concern that, in Pakistan's desire to close camps and reduce
its refugee population, the government might violate UNHCR
repatriation principles or begin repatriations before a
proper plan was in place on both sides of the border. The
representatives worried that the international community was
backing an effort to repatriate Afghans to an environment
that, because of the anticipated spring offensive, would not
be safe or sustainable for returnees. UNHCR also asked the
U.S. to be prepared to ask Pakistan to host additional
refugees should the anticipated Taliban spring offensive lead
to new Afghan refugee flows. End summary.
2. (C) On February 19, UNHCR Geneva and UNHCR Islamabad
representatives called on the DCM to discuss Pakistan's plan
to close refugee camps and encourage refugees to return to
Afghanistan. UNHCR Geneva Director Janet Lim said that
UNHCR had serious reservations about Pakistan's plans--or
lack thereof--to close four Afghan refugee camps this year.
In particular, UNHCR worried that its basic principles
(voluntary repatriation, alternative sites for refugees
unwilling/unable to return, and orderly camp closures) might
be violated. Lim asked that the U.S. be prepared to speak
out if Pakistan and Afghanistan did not follow these
principles when dealing with camp closures
3. (C) Lim noted that the Government of Afghanistan was
unprepared and unable to accept a large inflow of refugees
from Pakistan. Pakistan was looking for a "quick-fix" absent
adequate preparation on both sides of the border, she said.
To make returns sustainable and long-term, Afghanistan and
the international community should invest more time and money
in reconstruction and livelihood schemes. The international
community should assist the Afghan government articulate its
needs relating to the repatriation process.
Potential Effects of the Spring Offensive
--------------
4. (C) For the first time, UNHCR representatives articulated
concerns over the potential for a Taliban spring offensive to
create new refugee flows into Pakistan. If a spring
offensive were to create a large influx of Afghan refugees,
UNHCR asked that the US help to persuade Pakistan to "handle
them graciously," as it had for the past 27 years.
Comment
--------------
5. (C) We, along with most of our NATO allies, continue to
encourage Pakistan to close refugee camps, many of which have
become breeding grounds for security problems that impact
Afghanistan. Pakistan agrees the camps should be closed,
though it also understands its international obligations and
has never indicated to us that it would consider violating
UNHCR policies. Indeed, the recent announcement that
Pakistan would use national funds to enhance the repatriation
package being offered to families who agree to return to
Afghanistan signals that Pakistan is committed to
voluntariness. As UNHCR notes, though, before large numbers
of refugees voluntarily return home, they will need to know
they have security, shelter, and a livelihood waiting for
them. End comment.
CROCKER