Wikileaks - CCXL
37952 8/4/2005 9:01 05GENEVA1850 US Mission Geneva UNCLASSIFIED 05GENEVA1836 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
