June 3 Liberian Refugee Repatriation Update: Ambassador's

UNCLAS ACCRA 000723

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/W, AND PRM
GENEVA FOR RMA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PREL LI GH
SUBJECT: June 3 Liberian Refugee Repatriation Update: Ambassador's
Meeting with UNHCR Accra Representative


1. (SBU) Summary: On June 3, the Ambassador met with UNHCR Accra
Representative Aida Haile Mariam, who provided an update on the
voluntary repatriation of Liberians from Ghana. Since April, 1,200
Liberian refugees in Ghana have returned to Liberia. UNHCR is
working toward facilitating the repatriation of a total 13,000
refugees by October 31, 2008. Ms. Mariam noted that the project is
progressing well, but requested additional resources, particularly
to support reintegration in Liberia. End Summary.

Repatriation Update
--------------


2. (SBU) Under the Tripartite Agreement between Liberia, UNHCR and
Ghana, UNHCR is facilitating the voluntary repatriation of
registered Liberian refugees. The goal is to facilitate the return
of some 13,000 individuals (representing about half of the
registered population) by October 31, 2008. Since April, UNHCR has
returned 1,200 individuals. Currently, they are conducting returns
by air, using 200 seats available weekly on regularly scheduled U.N.
flights. Additional flights have been made available when possible,
including three return flights this past weekend.


3. UNHCR additionally noted there have been some spontaneous
returns by road of non-registered individuals who are not eligible
for the voluntary repatriation, as well as by registered refugees
with large amounts of luggage. Recently 7 to 8 returning refugees
were injured in a motor vehicle accident near the Liberian border,
and have received treatment in Liberia. UNHCR is researching the
possibility of facilitating road convoys. They are also seeking to
improve the repatriation facility at Buduburam to reduce to one day
the current three-day processing time.

Funding Request
--------------


4. Representative Mariam noted that there have been positive
improvements in Liberia allowing successful returns from Ghana, as
well as additional returns from throughout the sub-region. However,
she stressed that additional support will be needed in Liberia, and
requested the Embassy support the USD 3.5 million request from
UNHCR. Post noted the issue had been raised with PRM Geneva, and
there was no longer FY08 funding available. Ambassador Bridgewater
suggested that we work cooperatively with the other Embassies in the
region to encourage support for this initiative and begin to
consider possible avenues for funding in FY09. Mariam mentioned
that she has appointments with the British, Canadians and Danish to
discuss the proposal.

Local Integration Prospects
--------------


5. Mariam believes that there continues to be a possibility for
the local integration of the remaining Liberians, including possible
issuance of three to six year residence permits. She said that
UNHCR and GoG were "on a good track when this thing happened," and
hopes they can resume where negotiations left off. [Comment:
Although there had been some favorable conversations with the Ghana
Refugee Board following an ECOWAS conference on local integration,
there had been no concrete steps taken. Even refugees who would
otherwise be eligible for permanent residence, including those who
have married Ghanaian citizens, have not received residence permits.
End comment.]

BRIDGEWATER