Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10RIYADH91
2010-01-19 10:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
MEDICALLY ILL YEMENI IDPS ALLOWED TO CROSS SAUDI
how-toVZCZCXRO1670 PP RUEHDH DE RUEHRH #0091 0191048 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 191048Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2333 INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA PRIORITY 1737 RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN PRIORITY 0448 RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH PRIORITY 0558
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000091
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP JHARRIS AND JBERNDT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2020
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF SA YM
SUBJECT: MEDICALLY ILL YEMENI IDPS ALLOWED TO CROSS SAUDI
BORDER
REF: A. 09 RIYADH 1662
B. 09 RIYADH 1538
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 000091
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP JHARRIS AND JBERNDT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2020
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF SA YM
SUBJECT: MEDICALLY ILL YEMENI IDPS ALLOWED TO CROSS SAUDI
BORDER
REF: A. 09 RIYADH 1662
B. 09 RIYADH 1538
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) UNHCR Deputy Regional Representative Dr. Hamdi
Bukhari told Poloff on January 13 that Yemeni internally
displaced persons (IDPs) in need of immediate medical
treatment are being allowed to cross the Saudi border.
According to Bukhari, the Saudi government has set up mobile
medical teams along the border, and is working with the Saudi
Red Crescent and other NGOs to facilitate treatment for
Yemeni IDPs in need of immediate medical assistance.
Allowing medical evacuees to cross the border is a "positive
first step," continued Bukhari, as the SAG had not previously
allowed any IDPs to legally cross the border, including those
seeking asylum, safe passage, and medical treatment (reftel).
He added that UNHCR does not want to "antagonize" the SAG,
and has therefore been supportive of the "small but positive
steps" taken with regards to Yemeni IDPs.
2. (C) Bukhari also mentioned that UNHCR was planning a
"visibility program" to highlight the financial and
humanitarian aid that the SAG has donated, as well as their
cooperation in facilitating cross-border relief missions
during the Yemen conflict. The visibility program, expected
to take place in February, will include visiting Yemeni IDP
camps with SAG officials, as well as an official ceremony
involving the Yemeni government. Bukhari hoped that UNHCR
could use the tour of Yemeni IDP camps to encourage the Saudi
government to re-visit their policy on Yemeni IDPs. No major
policy shift was expected from the SAG, but UNHCR was keen to
continue constructively engaging the Saudi government on the
issue of "forcible return." (Note: The SAG views all Yemenis
crossing the Saudi-Yemeni border -- even those fleeing a
conflict zone and seeking asylum -- as a major border
security issue rather than as a humanitarian issue. As a
result, the SAG has been deporting or forcibly returning all
Yemeni IDPs/refugees found on Saudi soil, including some
Yemenis who have lived peacefully in Saudi Arabia for years.
End Note.) To date, the SAG has not responded to an official
letter from UNHCR requesting the SAG to address the issue of
forcible return.
3. (C) In addition, Bukhari noted that discussions between
the SAG and UNHCR on a transit agreement allowing for safe
passage of Yemeni IDPs crossing the Saudi border at one entry
point and reentering Yemen at a different location remained
ongoing.
SMITH
SIPDIS
NEA/ARP JHARRIS AND JBERNDT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2020
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF SA YM
SUBJECT: MEDICALLY ILL YEMENI IDPS ALLOWED TO CROSS SAUDI
BORDER
REF: A. 09 RIYADH 1662
B. 09 RIYADH 1538
Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4
(b) and (d).
1. (C) UNHCR Deputy Regional Representative Dr. Hamdi
Bukhari told Poloff on January 13 that Yemeni internally
displaced persons (IDPs) in need of immediate medical
treatment are being allowed to cross the Saudi border.
According to Bukhari, the Saudi government has set up mobile
medical teams along the border, and is working with the Saudi
Red Crescent and other NGOs to facilitate treatment for
Yemeni IDPs in need of immediate medical assistance.
Allowing medical evacuees to cross the border is a "positive
first step," continued Bukhari, as the SAG had not previously
allowed any IDPs to legally cross the border, including those
seeking asylum, safe passage, and medical treatment (reftel).
He added that UNHCR does not want to "antagonize" the SAG,
and has therefore been supportive of the "small but positive
steps" taken with regards to Yemeni IDPs.
2. (C) Bukhari also mentioned that UNHCR was planning a
"visibility program" to highlight the financial and
humanitarian aid that the SAG has donated, as well as their
cooperation in facilitating cross-border relief missions
during the Yemen conflict. The visibility program, expected
to take place in February, will include visiting Yemeni IDP
camps with SAG officials, as well as an official ceremony
involving the Yemeni government. Bukhari hoped that UNHCR
could use the tour of Yemeni IDP camps to encourage the Saudi
government to re-visit their policy on Yemeni IDPs. No major
policy shift was expected from the SAG, but UNHCR was keen to
continue constructively engaging the Saudi government on the
issue of "forcible return." (Note: The SAG views all Yemenis
crossing the Saudi-Yemeni border -- even those fleeing a
conflict zone and seeking asylum -- as a major border
security issue rather than as a humanitarian issue. As a
result, the SAG has been deporting or forcibly returning all
Yemeni IDPs/refugees found on Saudi soil, including some
Yemenis who have lived peacefully in Saudi Arabia for years.
End Note.) To date, the SAG has not responded to an official
letter from UNHCR requesting the SAG to address the issue of
forcible return.
3. (C) In addition, Bukhari noted that discussions between
the SAG and UNHCR on a transit agreement allowing for safe
passage of Yemeni IDPs crossing the Saudi border at one entry
point and reentering Yemen at a different location remained
ongoing.
SMITH