Cablegate: Uzebk Situation: Letter From High Commissioner

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS GENEVA 001850

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR, PRM, PRM/MCE, SS EXEC OFFICE, BISHKEK FOR
YOUNG, BUCHAREST FOR GILCHRIST

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF RICE CONDOLEEZZA UNHCR
SUBJECT: UZEBK SITUATION: LETTER FROM HIGH COMMISSIONER
GUTERRES TO SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE

REF: A. GENEVA 1836

B. SECSTATE 138321

1. (U) As per ref a, Mission received two letters from
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio
Guterres addressed to Secretary Rice. Ref a letter, dated
July 27, dealt briefly with the situation of Uzbek refugees
in Kyrgyzstan. The July 28 letter reproduced below goes into
further detail and refers, in part, to the Secretary's letter
of July 27 (ref b). Guterres' letter contains specific
reference to the important role played by Ambassador Stephen
Young in Bishkek. Due to transmission problems at UNHCR, we
did not receive a signed copy of the July 28 letter until
August 4. Begin Text:

Madam: (Handwritten:Dear Friend)

With reference to your letter of 27 July, I wish to express
UNHCR's sincere gratitude to the Government of the United
States of America, and to you personally for the support
extended to my Office as we seek a solution for the 455
persons of concern who fled the Republic of Uzbekistan
following the May incidents in Andijan.

I greatly appreciate your assurances that the United States
is prepared to accept resettlement referrals for as many of
these individuals as necessary. UNHCR will endeavour to
ensure that transfers are carried out under acceptable
circumstances from a secure locations and, to the degree
possible, that responsibility for the group is shared among a
number of potential resettlement countries.

The Government of the United States has been extremely
helpful to UNHCR from the beginning of the stand-off in
Kyrgyzstan. I would like to take this opportunity to thank
also Ambassador Stephen Young in Bishkek for his timely
interventions and indefatigable work in aid of my office
there. My colleagues are deeply impressed by his
humanitarian spirit and his willingness to assist UNHCR in
this challenging environment.

Once the refugees are in a secure location, we look forward
to further cooperation with your Government in order to
identify durable solutions for these individuals.

Please accept, Madam, the assurances of my highest
consideration.

(Handwritten: With my warmest regards,)

Antonio Guterres

2. (U) Mission will pouch the original letter under registry
number 6131642.
Moley

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