Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08AMMAN2820
2008-10-09 13:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
Government of Iraq Repatriates Approximately 116
how-toVZCZCXRO2269 OO RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHAM #2820 2831318 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 091318Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3651 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0684
UNCLAS AMMAN 002820
SIPDIS
Department for NEA/ELA and PRM/ANE
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID JO
SUBJECT: Government of Iraq Repatriates Approximately 116
Refugees from Jordan
UNCLAS AMMAN 002820
SIPDIS
Department for NEA/ELA and PRM/ANE
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID JO
SUBJECT: Government of Iraq Repatriates Approximately 116
Refugees from Jordan
1. (U) Summary: according to an Iraqi diplomat in Jordan,
the Government of Iraq carried out two repatriation
operations in Jordan, one on September 28, and a second on
October 6. The GOI reportedly repatriated approximately
116 in the two operations. UNHCR subsequently confirmed
that the movement took place. However, neither UNHCR nor
the Government of Jordan participated in the repatriations.
UNHCR distanced itself from the operations, saying that
organized returns to Iraq were premature. End summary.
2. (SBU) On October 5, 2008, Mustafa Ibrahim, First
Secretary for the Embassy of Iraq in Jordan told RefCoord
that on September 28, 2008, his mission took approximately
58 Iraqi refugees home to Iraq in a voluntary repatriation
operation. Ibrahim said that the Embassy planned to
repatriate an additional 58 refugees on October 6, 2008.
3. (SBU) According to Ibrahim, the Iraqi Ministry of
Displacement and Migration had sent two of its staff to
Jordan to help facilitate voluntary repatriation. He said
that approximately 800 individuals had approached the
Embassy seeking repatriation. Ibrahim confirmed that the
embassy was investigating the possibility of repatriation
via air, but had no concrete plans along those lines. The
GOI had not yet sent planes to pick up Iraqis in Jordan.
4. (SBU) When contacted on October 5, 2008 about the
returns, UNHCR Deputy Country Representative Arafat Jamal
said UNHCR did not participate in the planning or execution
of the returns. Jamal said that UNHCR policy remains that
the security and infrastructure conditions in Iraq did not
warrant organized returns. The Jordanian Ministry for
Planning and International Cooperation responded similarly.
5. (SBU) Comment: Neither the Government of Jordan, nor
UNHCR had a significant role in the planning or execution
of the moves. It was evident that UNHCR did not know of
the moves in advance, while the Iraqi Embassy in Jordan is
not a good source for detailed information about Ministry
of Displacement and Migration operations. Post welcomes
any reporting from Baghdad on Ministry intentions and
planning. End comment.
Visit AmmanQs Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
BEECROFT
SIPDIS
Department for NEA/ELA and PRM/ANE
E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A
TAGS: PREF EAID JO
SUBJECT: Government of Iraq Repatriates Approximately 116
Refugees from Jordan
1. (U) Summary: according to an Iraqi diplomat in Jordan,
the Government of Iraq carried out two repatriation
operations in Jordan, one on September 28, and a second on
October 6. The GOI reportedly repatriated approximately
116 in the two operations. UNHCR subsequently confirmed
that the movement took place. However, neither UNHCR nor
the Government of Jordan participated in the repatriations.
UNHCR distanced itself from the operations, saying that
organized returns to Iraq were premature. End summary.
2. (SBU) On October 5, 2008, Mustafa Ibrahim, First
Secretary for the Embassy of Iraq in Jordan told RefCoord
that on September 28, 2008, his mission took approximately
58 Iraqi refugees home to Iraq in a voluntary repatriation
operation. Ibrahim said that the Embassy planned to
repatriate an additional 58 refugees on October 6, 2008.
3. (SBU) According to Ibrahim, the Iraqi Ministry of
Displacement and Migration had sent two of its staff to
Jordan to help facilitate voluntary repatriation. He said
that approximately 800 individuals had approached the
Embassy seeking repatriation. Ibrahim confirmed that the
embassy was investigating the possibility of repatriation
via air, but had no concrete plans along those lines. The
GOI had not yet sent planes to pick up Iraqis in Jordan.
4. (SBU) When contacted on October 5, 2008 about the
returns, UNHCR Deputy Country Representative Arafat Jamal
said UNHCR did not participate in the planning or execution
of the returns. Jamal said that UNHCR policy remains that
the security and infrastructure conditions in Iraq did not
warrant organized returns. The Jordanian Ministry for
Planning and International Cooperation responded similarly.
5. (SBU) Comment: Neither the Government of Jordan, nor
UNHCR had a significant role in the planning or execution
of the moves. It was evident that UNHCR did not know of
the moves in advance, while the Iraqi Embassy in Jordan is
not a good source for detailed information about Ministry
of Displacement and Migration operations. Post welcomes
any reporting from Baghdad on Ministry intentions and
planning. End comment.
Visit AmmanQs Classified Web Site at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
BEECROFT