AMBASSADOR BEECROFT'S MEETING WITH UNHCR COUNTRY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 002684

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ELA AND PRM/ANE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/14/2018
TAGS: PREF EAID PREL JO
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR BEECROFT'S MEETING WITH UNHCR COUNTRY
REPRESENTATIVE

Classified By: Classified By: Ambassador Robert S. Beecroft for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d


1. (C) Summary: In a September 10 courtesy call, Imran
Riza, Country Representative for UNHCR, told Ambassador
that UNHCR had a good relationship with the Government of
Jordan, and that UNHCR continued its efforts to reach Iraqi
refugees in Jordan. He thanked the USG for its continued
support, and expressed willingness to cooperate with Post
to improve the situation of refugees in Jordan as well as
to increase the number of possible resettlement cases
referred to the U.S. End summary.

RELATIONS BETWEEN UNHCR AND GOJ IMPROVING
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2. (C) Riza, accompanied by Deputy Country Representative
Arafat Jamal described good cooperation with the GOJ,s
inter-ministerial committee on Iraqi refugee issues.
However, Riza said the GOJ did not appear prepared to move
forward on issues such as legal status and work permits for
refugees. In discussions on these issues, Riza said the
GOJ frequently expressed fear of a negative public reaction
to any expansion of Iraqi rights in the country.

LEGAL STATUS IS KEY TO PROTECTION OF REFUGEES
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3. (C) Stressing that legal status remains the number one
protection issue; Riza said the GOJ needs a face-saving way
to grant status to Iraqis while maintaining its public
stance against permanent residency. According to Riza, in
private conversations, GOJ officials acknowledge that
treating refugees well would serve long-term
Jordanian-Iraqi economic interests. As part of UNHCR,s
efforts to build support for such measures within the GOJ,
Riza explained that he would present a protection workshop
for senior GOJ officials to familiarize them with methods
other countries have used to grant legal status to
refugees.


4. (SBU) To overcome Iraqi reluctance, driven by fear of
deportation, to engage UNHCR, Riza said he is
working with six partner organizations and community
centers as information distribution points. However, the
GOJ has objected to both mobile refugee registration and
public information campaigns, arguing that UNHCR should
resettle all 54,000 registered refugees before seeking more
beneficiaries.


5. (SBU) Riza emphasized UNHCR,s need for accurate
beneficiary numbers to judge the efficacy of assistance
precisely. Of special concern are the numbers of
Iraqi children in Jordanian schools and the number of
Iraqis using Jordanian health facilities. Riza said he
could demonstrate how services delivered by UNHCR and
partners, such as food and cash distribution, benefited
refugees directly.

IRAQIS ARE STILL IN NEED, NO MATTER WHAT THE NUMBER
-------------- -------------- --------------


6. (SBU) Riza noted that the refugees were predominantly
middle-class Iraqis who arrived in Jordan with resources
enough to support a short stay in the country. Over time,
they have exhausted their funds and become destitute.
UNHCR assistance was not sufficient to support a family,
and without the right to work, refugees are falling deeper
into poverty. While spontaneous repatriation from
Jordan remains insignificant, Riza said that he wants to
ensure that poverty in Jordan does not drive Iraqis to
precipitous return.


7. (SBU) Medical and educational support are an important
components of UNHCR's work. Riza said that he planned to
work with UNICEF and partners in the coming year to reach
school-age children who might not be attending classes.
While basic healthcare was available to refugees, Riza
explained that Iraqis suffering from chronic ailments did
not have access to secondary or advanced healthcare in
Jordan.

RESETTLEMENT NUMBERS STEADILY INCREASING
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8. (C) Addressing the progress of the U.S. resettlement
program, Ambassador told Riza he would like to see the
maximum possible number of Iraqis recommended for
resettlement to the United States. Increased outreach and
registration would serve the U.S. goal of assisting Iraqis

AMMAN 00002684 002 OF 002


to live in Jordan in safety, or resettle in the U.S. when
appropriate. Riza responded that he was confident that
UNHCR would exceed the 2008 referral numbers for U.S.
resettlement cases. UNHCR was working closely with Post
Resettlement RefCoord and DHS to identify and process
cases. Riza estimated that the USG accepted almost 90
percent of UNHCR referrals.

Visit Amman,s Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman


BEECROFT
Beecroft