Government of Iraq Repatriates Approximately 116

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