Cablegate: Gvn Reacts to Cross Border Migration to Cambodia

VZCZCXRO2012
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHNH RUEHPB
DE RUEHHM #1236 3001022
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 271022Z OCT 06
FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1684
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY 1773
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 1183
RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 001236

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF SOCI PREL KIRF PGOV VM
SUBJECT: GVN REACTS TO CROSS BORDER MIGRATION TO CAMBODIA

REF: HCMC 1186 AND PREVIOUS

1. (SBU) During an October 27 meeting to review the results of
our recent refugee monitoring visit to the Central Highlands
(reftel), our counterparts in the HCMC External Relations Office
told PolOff that they were instructed to express GVN concern
over the continued outflow of ethnic minority individuals to
Cambodia. They said that this outflow, principally of economic
migrants, continues to foster instability in the Central
Highlands. A key factor for the continued outflow is the "pull
factor" of overseas resettlement, they said. Our contacts said
bluntly that the pull factor is intensified by the fact that
many individuals screened out by UNHCR are ultimately
interviewed by U.S. officials and resettled in the United
States.

2. (SBU) According to ERO, the GVN would prefer that UNHCR
adjudicate the cases in Cambodia according to the Tripartite
agreement. Those that UNHCR decides are legitimate refugees
should be resettled, the others returned to Vietnam. However,
the GVN would not object to the United States absorbing any of
rejected cases, such as the 82 UNHCR-rejected cases currently
pending DHS interview in Cambodia. The GVN wants the UNHCR
screen-out individuals returned first to Vietnam. Following
their return, the U.S. could conduct a its own screening process
inside Vietnam, similar to the ROVR or VISAS-93 family
reunification process, where candidates are interviewed and
processed in HCMC. Ultimately, the GVN wants the refugee camps
in Cambodia completely closed, our contact stated.

WINNICK

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