Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09THEHAGUE701
2009-11-18 11:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:
NETHERLANDS: IDEAS ON BHUTANESE REFUGEE CORE GROUP
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHTC #0701 3221143 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 181143Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3492 INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2847 RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN PRIORITY 6771 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU PRIORITY 0105 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0671 RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 0003 RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON PRIORITY 0002 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1467
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000701
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2019
TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV BT NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: IDEAS ON BHUTANESE REFUGEE CORE GROUP
REF: A. MWEINBERG EMAIL 11-13-09
B. THE HAGUE 686
Classified By: PolEcon Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 1.5(b,d)
(C) The Dutch have several ideas for revitalizing the
Bhutanese Refugee Core Group. In a November 16 follow-up
discussion on reftel, Robert Quarles van Ufford, Coordinator
for Africa in the MFA Asylum and Migration Department,
welcomed the readout of PDAS Witten's visit to South Asia
(ref email). Quarles said the Core Group "needs oxygen" and
is "almost dead." MFA Policy Officer Lucien noted that, in
preparation for the Netherlands' 2010 presidency of the Core
Group, the Netherlands would push for a return to the
"original mission," and pursue a "durable solution" rather
than sustained technical assistance on resettlement. The
Netherlands is considering a mid-term review of activities to
assess progress and prospects for future action. Asked how
the international community could make progress beyond a
tally of current efforts, Quarles suggested four tactics: (1)
follow Denmark's approach of bringing test cases to Bhutan,
(2) discuss with Bhutan the prospect of accepting the "most
acceptable" of the four refugee groups, (3) inventory
development aid to Bhutan with an eye toward finding points
of leverage with the GOB, and (4) in a more cooperative
approach, develop a "package deal" involving all the
participants that will provide a sustainable solution in
everyone's interest. Quarles concluded that the Netherlands
finds itself more closely aligned with U.S. policy, as our
approach has moved from "don't rock the boat" and simply
continuing with resettlement toward a more strategic endeavor.
LEVIN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/17/2019
TAGS: PREL PREF PGOV BT NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS: IDEAS ON BHUTANESE REFUGEE CORE GROUP
REF: A. MWEINBERG EMAIL 11-13-09
B. THE HAGUE 686
Classified By: PolEcon Counselor Andrew C. Mann for reasons 1.5(b,d)
(C) The Dutch have several ideas for revitalizing the
Bhutanese Refugee Core Group. In a November 16 follow-up
discussion on reftel, Robert Quarles van Ufford, Coordinator
for Africa in the MFA Asylum and Migration Department,
welcomed the readout of PDAS Witten's visit to South Asia
(ref email). Quarles said the Core Group "needs oxygen" and
is "almost dead." MFA Policy Officer Lucien noted that, in
preparation for the Netherlands' 2010 presidency of the Core
Group, the Netherlands would push for a return to the
"original mission," and pursue a "durable solution" rather
than sustained technical assistance on resettlement. The
Netherlands is considering a mid-term review of activities to
assess progress and prospects for future action. Asked how
the international community could make progress beyond a
tally of current efforts, Quarles suggested four tactics: (1)
follow Denmark's approach of bringing test cases to Bhutan,
(2) discuss with Bhutan the prospect of accepting the "most
acceptable" of the four refugee groups, (3) inventory
development aid to Bhutan with an eye toward finding points
of leverage with the GOB, and (4) in a more cooperative
approach, develop a "package deal" involving all the
participants that will provide a sustainable solution in
everyone's interest. Quarles concluded that the Netherlands
finds itself more closely aligned with U.S. policy, as our
approach has moved from "don't rock the boat" and simply
continuing with resettlement toward a more strategic endeavor.
LEVIN