REQUEST TO RESETTLE PROTECTED MIGRANTS FROM GITMO: LATVIANS

UNCLAS RIGA 000082 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREF SMIG LG SUBJECT: REQUEST TO RESETTLE PROTECTED MIGRANTS FROM GITMO: LATVIANS NONCOMMITTAL REF: A) STATE 8929 B) RIGA 26 C) 06 STATE 181026 ¶1. (SBU) On January 29, PolEconOff delivered ref A additional information to Dace Rutka, Head of the Americas and Caribbean Countries Division at the MFA, and Liga Brige, also of the Americas and Caribbean Countries Division. Rutka and Brige stated they now have enough information and will forward the request to resettle protected migrants from Gitmo to other relevant ministries within the GOL--such as Ministry and Interior--to gauge the level of interest and support. When pressed to comment on how serious the GOL might be about participating in this program, Rutka stated that the GOL is only in the "exploratory stage of learning about this program" and that it is too early to characterize whether the GOL might eventually participate. Both Rutka and Brige wondered out loud whether such migrants, who had initially intended to migrate to the United States, would actually want to live in Latvia. PolEconOff stressed that these migrants can neither return to Cuba nor will they be resettled in the United States. Rather they will eventually resettle in a third country. ¶2. (SBU) Rutka concluded by stating that the request will be discussed with other relevant ministries and that she will contact Post with any further GOL response as soon as possible. BAILEY