Cablegate: Taskings for Idp/Refugee Information

VZCZCXRO8885
OO RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHIL #3183 2800559
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 060559Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9137
INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 9214
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 8808
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 3853
RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 0417
RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 6159
RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 4985
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003183

SIPDIS

EO 12958 DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS PREL, PTER, PGOV, PREF, PK
SUBJECT: TASKINGS FOR IDP/REFUGEE INFORMATION

Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, for reasons 1.4 (b)(d)

1. (U) This is a joint cable from Embassy Islamabad and Embassy Kabul.

2. (C) In recent weeks, Embassy Islamabad and the Regional Refcord in Embassy Kabul have received requests, both orally and through e-mails, from the DAO and USSOCOM (and its XXXXXXXXXXXX contractor) requesting information on camps along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border which are housing Afghan refugees and/or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

3. (C) The requests apparently are in response to a ‘Coliseum tasker’ from SOCOM regarding IDP/Refugee camps and NGO activity. They have requested information on camp names and locations, camp status, number of IDS/refugees and ethnic breakdown, and NGO/humanitarian relief organizations working in the camps. DAO apparently has been instructed to reach out to UNHCR (which is not an agency of the USG but of the United Nations), USAID, and State. The purpose of the request for information remains unclear; some e-mails have suggested that agencies intend to use the data for targeting purposes; others indicate it would be used for “NO STRIKE” purposes.

4. (C) We are concerned about providing information gained from humanitarian organizations to military personnel, especially for reasons that remain unclear. Particularly worrisome, this does not seem to us a very efficient way to gather accurate information.

5. (C) Posts would appreciate clarification of the origin and purpose of this tasker. Regardless, SOCOM, DIA or anyone else desiring such information should send a front channel cable to the appropriate Embassy or to DNI’s representative, the COS in Embassies Islamabad and/or Kabul.
PATTERSON

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