ICRC RECONSIDERS DECISION TO CLOSE DELEGATION IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L KYIV 001968

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM UP
SUBJECT: ICRC RECONSIDERS DECISION TO CLOSE DELEGATION IN
KYIV

REF: KYIV 1553

Classified By: Charge James Pettit for reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) Summary: Representatives from the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told us that it was
reconsidering its plan to close the ICRC delegation in Kyiv
(Reftel) and said that they perceived a high level of tension
among the ethnic Russian, Crimean Tatar, and Ukrainian
communities during their recent visit to Crimea. They said
the ICRC would consider whether recent developments in
Georgia and ongoing domestic political uncertainty warrant
continuation of its mission in Kyiv with a focus on conflict
resolution activities in Crimea. End Summary.

2. (C) On September 30, the ICRC's Head of Operations in
Eastern Europe, Pascale Meige-Wagner, and the head of the
ICRC Regional Delegation for Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova,
Jean-Jacques Bovay, told the Charge that the ICRC was
reconsidering its decision to close its delegation in Kyiv
(Reftel). They explained that because of the recent conflict
in Georgia and uncertainty about the Ukrainian domestic
political scene, Pascale had traveled from Geneva to
determine if the ICRC should remain in Kyiv to support
humanitarian assistance in the event of conflict in the
region and implement conflict resolution efforts in Crimea.


3. (C) Pascale and Bovay described their recent travel to
Crimea where they met with representatives from the ethnic
Russian, Crimean Tatar, and Ukrainian communities to assess
the potential for interethnic conflict and the level of
support among ethnic Russians for closer political ties with
Russia. They concluded that there is little trust and
dialogue among Crimea's ethnic communities. They came away
from their meetings with a sense that ethnic Russians felt
relatively secure because of Crimea's autonomous status and
what they perceive as the stabilizing influence of the Black
Sea Fleet. However, Pascale remained concerned that issues
such as mandatory Ukrainian language in schools and public
institutions, accession to NATO, and the departure of the
Black Sea Fleet could inflame latent separatist sentiments
among the ethnic Russian community. Crimean Tatar community
leaders told the ICRC delegation that, although they
continued to support the central government, there was a
sense of disappointment with what they see as Kyiv's
inadequate response to long standing issues such as land
restitution and discrimination. The Crimean Tatars told the
ICRC that they would avoid provoking confrontation with their
neighbors and were prepared to rely on themselves if the
central government did not support them, without providing
further details on their self-reliance to the ICRC.


4. (C) Pascale explained that the ICRC would consider
whether the situation in Crimea, in the wake of the
Russia-Georgia conflict, and recent developments requires the
ICRC to continue its mission in Ukraine. If the ICRC does
stay, its primary focus would be on humanitarian support in
conflicts and assistance with conflict resolution. ICRC
still plans to hand over responsibility for its current
international humanitarian law programs with Ukraine's law
enforcement agencies and military to the GoU and run its
other activities from the Moscow delegation. ICRC's support
for the Ukrainian Red Cross Society would continue at
slightly higher levels regardless if the ICRC leaves Kyiv.


5. (C) Comment: Although the ICRC was not clear on what
plans it has for conflict resolution activities, its
assistance has the potential to be helpful in reducing
tension among Crimea's ethnic communities.
PETTIT