RESPONSE TO DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 1

UNCLAS STATE 040480 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: IZ SY PHUM PREF PREL SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO DAMASCUS REFUGEE SITREP 1 REF: DAMASCUS 236 ¶1. (SBU) Department appreciates Post's update on Iraqi refugee resettlement (reftel). ¶2. (SBU) PRM and DHS/USCIS authorize GSO or a contractor to drill additional tennis ball-sized holes in the Plexiglass in each interview room to facilitate better communication. We understand this will cost approximately 800 USD and require roughly 8 hours of labor to be done after hours. PRM also authorizes the purchase of approximately 150 USD of local rugs to hang on the walls of the interview rooms to improve acoustics. PRM will provide funding via IOM and we will ask IOM to coordinate directly with the Embassy regarding payment for the contractors and rugs. ¶3. (SBU) PRM has discussed UNHCR,s proposal to change the DHS work week to allow UNHCR to have access to the interview rooms for one additional Syrian work day with DHS/USCIS and IOM. All are in agreement to implement a Monday-Friday DHS interview schedule starting on May 5. RICE