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301E8D 151508Z /38
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FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5957
INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY ROME
USDAO YAOUNDE
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-SAA//
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 01 OF 06 KIGALI 01107
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NAIROBI FOR REFCORD THOMAS-GREENFIELD
ADDIS FOR FARNSWORTH
YAOUNDE FOR DATT
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF, RW, BY
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON BURUNDI REFUGEES, DISPLACED
PERSONS AND SPONTANEOUS RETURNEES
REFS:
GENEVA 2309, (B) KIGALI 606
(C) KIGALI 454
(A)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: ARCHIE M BOLSTER
DATE/CASE ID: 28 JUN 2006 200601220
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
1. SUMMARY. UNHCR REPORTS THAT BURUNDI REFUGEE
NUMBERS REMAIN HIGH. MORTALITY RATES DECLINE BUT
REMAIN FRAGILE AS FOOD SITUATION STABILIZES. ICRC
PLANS TO PHASE OUT AID IN THE DEMILITARIZED ZONE
FOLLOWING THE JUNE HARVEST, BUT IS CONTINUING TO
ASSIST WAR-DISPLACED RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES IN THE
RPF ZONE. NUMBERS OF SPONTANEOUS RETURNEES INCREASE
AS UNHCR/WFP ASSISTANCE BEGINS. END SUMMARY.
2. DCM DISCUSSED RWANDA'S SEVERAL HUMANITARIAN
EMERGENCIES LAST WEEK WITH KEY ASSISTANCE OFFICIALS.
WHAT FOLLOWS IS THE RESULT OF TALKS WITH UNHCR
EMERGENCY COORDINATOR FOR THE BURUNDI REFUGEE
EMERGENCY DANIEL BELLAMY, ICRC CHIEF DELEGATE
PHILIPPE GAILLARD, AND UN FORCES (UNAMIR)
HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS OFFICERS, COL. VAN PUT AND MAJOR
PODEVIJN.
BURUNDI REFUGEES
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3. NUMBERS. UNHCR IS NOW USING 260,000 AS ITS
PLANNING FIGURE FOR BURUNDI REFUGEES, JUST 12,000
FEWER THAN COUNTED IN THE LATE DECEMBER CENSUS. EVEN
THOUGH UNHCR HAS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 30,000 HAVE
REPATRIATED, THE NUMBERS SLEEPING AND RECEIVING FOOD
IN THE CAMPS DO NOT REFLECT THIS NUMBER. THE SLOWER
PACE OF REPATRIATION FROM RWANDA IS ATTRIBUTED TO
CONTINUING INSECURITY IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCES OF
KIRUNDO AND NGOZI. OF THE 272,000 REFUGEES
ENUMERATED IN DECEMBER, 143,500 CAME FROM KIRUNDO AND
65,500 CAME FROM NGOZI.
4. REPATRIATION. UNHCR'S EMERGENCY COORDINATOR
NOTED IN THE CENSUS STATISTICS THAT MANY OF THE
REFUGEES COME FROM PROVINCES WHERE FLIGHT WAS
CONCENTRATED FROM A SINGLE COMMUNE. HE HAS ASKED
UNHCR/BURUNDI THAT THEY INVESTIGATE SECURITY IN SOME
OF THESE SELECTED COMMUNES AND, IF THE SECURITY
SITUATION PERMITS, HE WILL PROPOSE THE REFUGEES, WITH
UNHCR ASSISTANCE, SEND A GROUP TO VISIT AND SEE FOR
THEMSELVES THE SITUATION IN THEIR HOME AREAS.
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
ASKED ABOUT UNHCR'S PREDICTION REPORTED REF A, THAT
ONLY 150,000 REFUGEES WOULD REMAIN IN RWANDA BY END
MARCH, BELLAMY SAID HE BELIEVES THIS IS NOW OVERLY
OPTIMISTIC GIVEN RECENT EVENTS IN BURUNDI. HE ALSO
COMMENTED THAT IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO PUT ALL THE
FOOD FOR THE REFUGEES IN BURUNDI. IT WOULD, HE
SPECULATED, PROBABLY DRAW THEM IMMEDIATELY BACK INTO
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AN UNCERTAIN SECURITY SITUATION.
5. COMMENT. UNHCR SPECIAL ENVOY ON BURUNDI
REFUGEES, MICHEL MOUSSALLI, CALLED ON PRESIDENT
HABYARIMANA 3/14. FOLLOWING THE MEETING, HE TOLD THE
PRESS THAT CONTINUING INSECURITY IN BURUNDI IS
HINDERING REPATRIATION. END COMMENT.
6.
HEALTH STATUS. OVERALL, MORTALITY RATES CONTINUE
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TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5958
INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY ROME
USDAO YAOUNDE
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4 SAA//
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
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NAIROBI FOR REFCORD THOMAS-GREENFIELD
ADDIS FOR FARNSWORTH
YAOUNDE FOR DATT
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF, RW, BY
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON BURUNDI REFUGEES,BRIPLACED
I
THEIR STEADY DECLINE, ALTHOUGH BELLAMY RECOGNIZES THE
SITUATION REMAINS PRECARIOUS.. FIGURES REPORTED BY
UNHCR 3/7 SHOW A DROP IN THE GLOAL DEATH RATE TO
0.99 PERSONS/DAY/10,000, DOWN FROM 1.39 THREE WEEKS
EARLIER. HOWEVER, THE DEATH RATE FOR CHILDREN UNDER
5 REMAINS AN UNACCEPTABLE 2.22/DAY/10,000, DOWN FROM
3.68. A QUARTER OF THE DEATHS RESULT FROM DYSENTARY
(DOWN FROM NEARLY HALF) AND A QUARTER FROM MALARIA.
MALNUTRITION REMAINS UNACCEPTABLY HIGH IN CERTAIN
CAMPS. AT THE NEW CAMP OF MAZA, SOUTH OF KIGALI,1
201;"&43-34,000, THE RATE IS 43 PERCENT, AND AT
GAHARA IN KIBUNGO, IT IS 40 PERCENT. UNHCR PLANS
SEVERAL SURVEYS IN THESE CAMPS.
7. FOOD. UNHCR EMERGENCY COORDINATOR BELLAMY TOLD
DCM THAT HE IS NOW GENERALLY SATISFIED WITH THE FOOD
QUANTITY, QUALITY, AND MIB, AND WITH PPDT
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
BKNVROMN KCALS JREEEEKT GWQPPM ROTTEN MAIZE AND
MAIZE FLOUR HAVE XZN WITHDRAWN FROM STOCKS. THE
PIPELINE FOR BEANS, WHICH HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT
TO SEN
QU
WVRIWMTOM CHINA, DUE AT THE END OF APRIL.
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FOUR UN VOLUNTEERS HAVE ARRIVED (OF THE 8 REQUESTED,
4 WERE ASSIGNED TO BURUNDI) TO HELP MONITOR FOOD
DISTRIBUTIONS AND, WITH INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF
RED CROSS (IFRC) MONITORS, TO ASSURE THE ACCURACY OF
AMOUNTS DISTRIBUTED. DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS REMAIN AT
SOME CAMPS, HOWEVER, DUE IN PART TO INACCURATE
COMPUTERIZED LISTS. DCM SAW ABOUT 100 PEOPLE WHO HAD
JUST BEEN MOVED INTO THE NEW MAZA CAMP WAITING FOR
FOOD BECAUSE THEIR NAMES DID NOT FIGURE ON THE LISTS,
EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE HOLDING RATION CARDS. AT SOME
CAMPS THE FULL FOOD RATION IS NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
8. STOCK RUPTURE. BELLAMY ACKNOWLEDGES, HOWEVER,
THAT THE FOOD SITUATION REMAINS PRECARIOUS. FOOD
WAREHOUSES NEAR THE CAMPS HOLD LIMITED QUANTITIES.
RAINS COULD DELAY DELIVERIES TO CAMP SITES. THE
CIVIL UNREST IN KIGALI 2/21-23 HALTED ALL RELIEF
ACTIVITY FOR 3 DAYS. REFUGEES DUE FOR A 15-DAY FOOD
DISTRIBUTION DURING THOSE DAYS WENT WITHOUT. A LOCAL
RED CROSS WORKER AT MAZA CAMP VERIFIED TO DCM THAT HE
HAD NO FOOD TO DISTRIBUTE DURING THOSE DAYS.
ALTHOUGH THERE WAS FOOD IN THE WAREHOUSE NOT FAR FROM
THE CAMP, HE SAID HE HAD NO TRUCK TO FETCH IT. NOW
UNHCR STATIONS A TRUCK AND DRIVER AT THE CAMP.
BELLAMY PREDICTS THAT THIS 3-DAY STOCK RUPTURE WILL
HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON NUTRITION RATES IN A MONTH
OR TWO.
9. WATER AND SANITATION. THE WATER SYSTEMS IN THE
VARIOUS CAMPS NOW PROVIDE AN AVERAGE OF 11 LITERS PER
PERSON PER DAY. UNHCR'S COORDINATOR FOR WATER AND
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INFRASTRUCTUREM
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
MMFGMCRAIG SANDERS (AN AMERICAN
CONTRACTOR), SAID THAT THIS AMOUNT APPEARED TO BE
SUFFICIENT, BASED ON THE FACT THAT CAMP RESERVOIRS
STILL CONTAINED WATER AT THE END OF EACH DAY. HE
SAID THE AMOUNT AVAILABLE, THOUGH SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW
UNHCR'S RECOMMENDED 20 LITERS/DAY, WAS ABOVE THE
AVERAGE USED BY RWANDANS, DETERMINED BY UNICEF TO BE
ABOUT 8 LITERS/DAY. LATRINES NOW SERVE ABOUT 40
PERSONS EACH, DOWN BY HALF FROM EARLY FEBRUARY DATA.
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301F14 151513Z /38
P 151448Z MAR 94
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5959
INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY ROME
USDA() YAOUNDE
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-SAA//
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 03 OF 06 KIGALI 01107
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
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GENEVA FOR RMA
KINSHASA PLEASE PASS Ar/c RENDER
ROME FOR FODAG
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KIGALI 01107 03 OF 06 151511Z
NAIROBI FOR REFCORD THOMAS-GREENFIELD
ADDIS FOR FARNSWORTH
YAOUNDE FOR DATT
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF, RW, BY
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON BURUNDI REFUGEES, DISPLACED
10. INFRASTRUCTURE. BY THE END OF MARCH, A TOTAL OF
50,000 REFUGEES WILL HAVE BEEN MOVED FROM THEIR
ORIGINAL SITES TO NEW, PLANNED CAMPS. TWO CAMPS IN
BUGESERA HAVE JUST BEEN CLOSED AND ANOTHER REDUCED BY
HALF (TO 19,000) FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF MAZA, A NEW
CAMP ON A VIRTUALLY EMPTY RESEARCH STATION. MAZA,
LAID OUT IN SQUARES, IS CONSIDERABLY LESS CONGESTED
THAM WHAT UNHCR CALLS THE FIRST GENERATION CAMPS,
EVEN THOUGH IT HOLDS 34,000 PERSONS. LACK OF WATER
AND CONGESTION WERE THE PRIMARY REASONS FOR THE
MOVE. SEVERAL OTHER MOVES TO NEWLY ORGANIZED SITES
HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED. NO FURTHER MOVES ARE PLANNED
FOR NOW. UNHCR/KIGALI BELIEVES NO FURTHER MOVES ARE
WARRANTED, DESPITE AN EARLY UNHCR SURVEY
RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE ABOUT 2/3 OF THE REFUGEE
POPULATION FROM THEIR INITIAL SITES. UNHCR COMMENDED
THE ROLE GTZ TRUCK AND DRIVERS, BROUGHT FROM ETHIOPIA
FOR THE EMERGENCY, PLAYED IN THE MOVE. BELLAMY NOTED
THEY HAD NO/NO ACCIDENTS SINCE ARRIVING IN RWANDA.
11. SECURITY. UNAMIR AGREED TO ASSURE SECURITY OF
THE KIGALI WAREHOUSES OF THE VARIOUS REFUGEE
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ASSISTANCE AGENCIES. UNAMIR WILL ALSO ESCORT FOOD
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
CONVOYS TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF KIGALI AT SPECIFIED,
COORDINATED TIMES. SOME AGENCIES HAVE HAD TO
WITHDRAW PERSONNEL TEMPORARILY FROM CERTAIN CAMPS
UNDER THREAT OF DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST UNHCR AND IFRC
OVER FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS.
12. APPEAL. BELLAMY EXPECTS A NEW APPEAL FOR THE
BURUNDI REFUGEE EMERGENCY TO BE ISSUED SOON THROUGH
THE UN DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS (DHA).
ALTHOUGH THE CURRENT APPEAL RUNS THROUGH THE END OF
MARCH, BELLAMY HAS PROPOSED TO HEADQUARTERS THAT THE
NEW APPEAL PICK UP WITH 3/1 AND RUN THROUGH THE END
OF THE YEAR. UNHCR'S HEADQUARTERS COORDINATOR FOR
THE BURUNDI REFUGEE EMERGENCY, JIDDO VAN DRUNEN,
ALONG WITH THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S SPECIAL ENVOY,
MICHEL MOUSSALI, ARE BOTH IN KIGALI NOW TO UPDATE
THEMSELVES ON THE CURRENT SITUATION.
13. COORDINATION. A UNHCR-WFP REGIONAL COORDINATION
MEETING ON THE BURUNDI REFUGEE EMERGENCY IS TO TAKE
PLACE IN BUJUMBURA 3/16-18.
DISPLACED PERSONS
14. NUMBERS: DMZ AND GOVERNMENT ZONES. ICRC IS
ASSISTING 160,000 DROUGHT-AFFECTED PERSONS IN THE
BYUMBA PREFECTURE PART OF THE DEMILITARIZED ZONE
(DMZ) IN NORTHERN RWANDA.OF THESE PEOPLE ARE AMONG
THE 600,000 PERSONS DISPLACED BY HOSTILITIES A YEAR
AGO WHO RETURNED TO THEIR HOMES LAST AUGUST. ICRC
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KIGALI 01107 03 OF 06 151511Z
ALSO ASSISTS 335,000 DISPLACED FROM THE RPF-HELD
TERRITORY AT THE RWANDAN BORDER WITH UGANDA WHO STILL
LIVE IN CAMPS IN EITHER THE GOVERNMENT ZONE AND OR
THE DMZ.
15. NUMBERS: RPF ZONE. IN ADDITION, ICRC HELPS
35,000 PERSONS NOW LIVING IN RPF-HELD TERRITORY,
25,000 OF WHOM RETURNED SINCE JANUARY. OF THESE,
20,000 RETURNED TO BUTARO IN RUHENGERI PREFECTURE
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CIAE-00 OASY-00
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3020BC 151526Z /48 38
P 151448Z MAR 94
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5960
INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY ROME
USDAO YAOUNDE
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-SAA//
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 04 OF 06 KIGALI 01107
STATE FOR RP
GENEVA FOR RMA
KINSHASA PLEASE PASS AF/C RENDER
ROME FOR FODAG
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KIGALI 01107 04 OF 06 151513Z
NAIROBI FOR REFCORD THOMAS-GREENFIELD
ADDIS FOR FARNSWORTH
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
YAOUNDE FOR DATT
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF, RW, BY
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON BURUNDI REFUGEES, DISPLACED
(THE FARTHEST WEST COMMUNE IN RPF-HELD TERRITORY) AND
5,000 TO KIVUYE IN BYUMBA PREFECTURE (THE NEXT
FARTHEST WEST COMMUNE). MOST OF THESE PEOPLE, ICRC
SAID, HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR OWN LAND. THE RPF GAVE
ICRC LISTS CONTAINING NAMES OF THESE "RETURNEES",
FAMILY SIZE, PLACE OF ORIGIN, AND THE SITE WHERE THEY
PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED DISTRIBUTIONS. ICRC IS DROPPING
THESE PEOPLE FROM DISTRIBUTION LISTS AT PREVIOUS
SITES.
16. FOOD AID. ICRC WILL TAKE OVER RESPONSIBILITY
FOR FOOD FOR ALL DISPLACED FROM WFP AS OF 4/1. ICRC
CHIEF DELEGATE PHILIPIECGILLARD SAID THAT ICRC IS
ALREALY EFFECTIVELY HANDLING THIS TASK, HOWEVER,
FOLLOWING DIVERSION OF WFP STOCKS TO THE BURUNDI
REFUGEE CRISIS IN THE SOUTH. HE SAID WFP HAS PLEDGED
TO REPLACE DIVERTED STOCKS, BUT THAT WOULD BE DONE AT
THE ROME-GENEVA LEVEL RATHER THAN IN THE FIELD.
17. AID TO THE GOVERNMENT ZONE. ICRC SAYS THAT
ASSISTANCE TO WAR-DISPLACED REMAINING IN CAMPS IS
RUNNING LIKE CLOCKWORK. PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUED THE
OPERATION EARLIER -- FOOD DIVERSIONS, INACCURATE
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DISTRIBUTION LISTS -- HAVE BEEN OVERCOME.
18. AID TO THE DMZ. GAILLARD SAID ICRC PLANS TO END
ALL AID TO THE 160,000 PERSONS STILL BEING ASSISTED
IN THE DMZ FOLLOWING THE JUNE HARVEST. BEFORE THEN,
ICRC WILL MAKE THREE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS. IN MARCH IT
WILL DISTRIBUTE PARTIAL RATIONS (AT THE 1600 KCAL
LEVEL) TO 7 BYUMBA COMMUNES; IN APRIL, TO NINE; AND
IN MAY, TO SIX. SEEDS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO ALL
FOR PLANTING NOW FOR HARVEST IN JUNE.
19. AID TO THE RPF ZONE. ICRC IS FOLLOWING THE
DISPLACED WHO RETURN TO THE RPF ZONE. ICRC HAS
DISTRIBUTED FOOD AND NON-FOOD ITEMS TO THE 25,000
NEWCOMERS THROUGH THE BELGIAN RED CROSS. ALL HAVE
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
RECEIVED MACHETES, POTATO SEEDS, BLANKETS, SOAP AND
IMPROVED STOVES. THE OTHER 10,000 PERSONS IN THE RPF
ZOMELGIXR'42? 14: 8 ,92 57$68,& 5#3 33$ ,33$ ?6
REGION OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE RPF ZONE. THEY
INTEND TO MAKE A TARGETED DISTRIBUTION OF BEAN,
MAIZE, WHEAT, OR POTATO SEEDS IMMEDIATELY SO THE
PEOPLE CAN PLANT FOR THE JUNE HARVEST.
20. RPF SEEKS NGO HELP. THE RPF HAS APPROACHED
SBVBRAL NGOS DIRECTLY FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE
DISPLACED RETURNING TO THE RPF ZONE, INCLUDING
MSF/BELGIUM, CARITAS, AND AFRICARE. AT AN NGO
MEETING 3/2, THE NGOS AGREED THAT, FOR NOW, ICRC
WOULD BE THE "COORDINATOR" OF ASSISTANCE ACTIVITY IN
THE RPF ZONE AND THAT DIRECT REQUESTS WOULD BE
REFERRED TO ICRC.
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21. APPEAL FOR DIPLOMATIC INTERVENTION. GAILLARD
URGED THE US TO INTERVENE WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO
ENABLE ALL WHO WANT TO RETURN TO THE RPF ZONE TO BE
ALLOWED TO DO SO. HE SAID THE MOVEMENT TO DATE HAS
BEEN MOSTLY ON THE RUHENGERI SIDE WHERE THE GOR
PRESENCE IS LESS PERVASIVE. ON THE BYUMBA SIDE, HE
SAID IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE WHO
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KIGALI 01107 05 OF 06 151515Z
INFO LOG-00 AF-01
AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02
CIAE-00 OASY-00
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DODE-00 EUR-01 OIG0-01 HA-09
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FMP-00
/044W
301F7F 151516Z /38
P 151448Z MAR 94
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5961
INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY ROME
USDAO YAOUNDE
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-SAA//
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 05 OF 06 KIGALI 01107
STATE FOR RP
GENEVA FOR RMA
KINSHASA PLEASE PASS AF/C RENDER
ROME FOR FODAG
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KIGALI 01107 05 OF 06 151515Z
NAIROBI FOR REFCORD THOMAS-GREENFIELD
ADDIS FOR FARNSWORTH
YAOUNDE FOR DATT
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF, RW, BY
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON BURUNDI REFUGEES, DISPLACED
MIGMT WANT TO REACH THE RPF ZONE TO CROSS FROM THE
GOVERNMENT ZONE INTO THE DMZ. HE SAID THAT SOLDIERS
AT THE MILITARY CHECKPOINT ON THE BUYMBA ROAD EN
ROUTE TO THE RPF ZONE HAS ORDERS NOT/NOT TO LET
DISPLACED PERSONS PASS. IN RESPONSE TO A QUERY, HE
CONFIRMED THAT THE RPF HAD APPEALED IN JANUARY TO ALL
DISPLACED VIA ITS RADIO MUHABURA TO RETURN TO THE RPF
ZONE IF THEY SO WISHED.
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
22. SECURITY. GAILLARD SAID HE WORRIES THAT SOME
PEOPLE WHO DISAPPROVE OF ICRC HELPING PERSONS
RETURNING TO THE RPF ZONE MIGHT DECIDE TO SEND A
MESSAGE VIA A LANDMINE ACCIDENT, SIMILAR TO THE ONE
THAT DESTROYED A BELGIAN RED CROSS TRUCK IN THE DMZ
IN LATE NOVEMBER. HE NOTED, THOUGH, THAT THERE HAVE
BEEN NO/NO LANDMINE ACCIDENTS AMONG THE 35,000
PERSONS LIVING IN THE RPF ZONE.
SPONTANEOUS RETURNEES
23. NUMBERS. THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES WHO HAVE
SPONTANEOUSLY RETURNED TO RPF-HELD TERRITORY FROM
UGANDA NOW NUMBER ABOUT 8,500, ACCORDING TO THE UN
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FORCE COMMANDER IN THE ZONE. THE PREVIOUS FIGURE OF
7,000 HAS BEEN AUGMENTED RECENTLY BY THE ARRIVAL, IN
TRUCKS, OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. UNAMIR CONTENDS THE
FAMILIES MAY COME FROM TANZANIA AND BURUNDI AS WELL
AS FROM UGANDA. ALL RETURNEES REMAIN A FEW
KILOMETERS FROM THE FRONTIER (WHERE THE BORDER FORMS
A SO-CALLED "BEAK" ) SPREAD OUT OVER AN AREA OF ABOUT
NINE SQUARE MILES. THE RESULTS OF UNHCR'S CENSUS
SHOULD BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK.
24. FOOD. ON FEBRUARY 21, WFP DELIVERED ENOUGH FOOD
FOR 6,500 PERSONS FOR ONE MONTH TO A WAREHOUSE NOT
FAR FROM THE AREA. THE RPF TOOK CHARGE OF THE
WAREHOUSE AND THE DISTRIBUTIONS TO THE RETURNEES AT
FOUR SITES. THE FOOD CONSISTED OF A 1900 KCAL RATION
SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE BURUNDI REFUGEES, INCLUDING
MAIZE (400 GMS), BEANS (60 GMS), AND OIL.
25. NON-FOOD ITEMS. UNHCR PROVIDED AND DISTRIBUTED
BLANKETS (1/FAMILY), GERRY-CANS (1/FAMILY), AND SOAP
TO THE RETURNEES BEGINNING 2/11. A UNHCR STAFFER WHO
WATCHED THE DISTRIBUTION FEBRUARY 12 SAID THE RPF
MANAGED IT SUPERBLY.
26. MEDICINES. ICRC HAS OPENED A HEALTH CLINIC
WHERE THE RETURNEES HAVE SETTLED AND PROVIDED THEM
WITH MEDICINES FOR MALARIA AND DIARRHEA. AN RPF
DOCTOR IS STAFFING THE CLINIC AND DISPENSING THE
MEDICINES. (NOTE. THIS ACTION WAS TAKEN WITHIN THE
FRAMEWORK OF ICRC'S COMMITMENT TO REHABILITATE ONE
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DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
MEDICAL CENTER PER COMMUNE IN THE RPF ZONE, OR 6-7
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CENTERS AT USD 10-15,000 EACH. END NOTE.)
27. NEEDS ASSESSMENT. THE RELIEF DISTRIBUTED TO
DATE HAS NOT/NOT BEEN BASED ON A NEEDS ASSESSMENT.
THE RPF REFUSED ACCESS TO THE INTERAGENCY TEAM
SCHEDULED TO CONDUCT AN ASSESSMENT IN MID-FEBRUARY ON
GROUNDS THAT, UNTIL FOOD WAS DELIVERED, THERE COULD
BE NO MORE VISITS (THE TEAM WOULD HAVE BEEN THE
FOURTH).
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ACTION RP-10
KIGALI 01107 06 OF 06 151516Z
INFO LOG-00 AF-01
AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02
CIAE-00 OASY-00
DODE-00 EUR-01 OIG0-01 HA-09
TEDE-00 INR-00
10-16
ADS-00 NSAE-00 01C-02 SR-00
FMP-00
/044W
301FAA 151518Z /38
P 151448Z MAR 94
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5962
INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY ROME
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
DECONTROLLED/UNCLASSIFIED
USDA() YAOUNDE
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-SAA//
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
LIMITED OFFICIAL USE SECTION 06 OF 06 KIGALI 01107
STATE FOR RP
GENEVA FOR RMA
KINSHASA PLEASE PASS AF/C RENDER
ROME FOR FODAG
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NAIROBI FOR REFCORD THOMAS-GREENFIELD
ADDIS FOR FARNSWORTH
YAOUNDE FOR DATT
E.O. 12356: N/A
TAGS: PREF, RW, BY
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON BURUNDI REFUGEES, DISPLACED
28. COMMENT. THE EMBASSY HAS STRESSED THAT
ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE CAREFULLY TAILORED TO A NEEDS
ASSESSMENT IN ORDER TO REMOVE ALL SUSPICION THAT THE
RPF ITSELF MIGHT BE THE BENEFICIARY OF THE AID.
UNHCR IS IN FULL AGREEMENT WITH THIS POSITION. END
COMMENT.
29. OPERATIONAL PARTNER. SO FAR UNHCR CANNOT
IDENTIFY A SUITABLE OPERATIONAL PARTNER FOR ITS
ASSISTANCE TO THE REPATRIATES (SEE REF B). IT IS NOW
EXPLORING POSSIBILITIES WITH THE BELGIAN RED CROSS
WHICH IS ALREADY HELPING ICRC ASSIST THE RETURNING
WAR-DISPLACED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE RPF ZONE.
30. SITE SELECTION. FOR NOW, UNHCR AND UNAMIR HAVE
ABANDONED THE IDEAS (REF B) OF LOCATING THE RETURNEES
IN CAMPS OUTSIDE THE RPF ZONE. UNAMIR TOLD DCM TFP
IDENTIFYING SUCH A SITE IS UNFEASIBLE UNTIL THERE IS
A GOVERNMENT IN PLACE.
31. UNHCR-RPF RELATIONS. UNHCR AND RPF GOT OFF TO A
STORMY START IN THEIR COLLABORATION ON THIS
EMERGENCY. WITH STAFF CHANGES, THE RELATIONSHIP
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APPEARS TO HAVE IMPROVED.
COMMENT
32. EMBASSY WOULD APPRECIATE WASHINGTON ASKING
ASKING FODAG/ROME AND RMA/GENEVA TO FOLLOW UP AT WFP
AND ICRC HEADQUARTERS ON THEIR GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT
TO HAVE WFP RESTORE TO ICRC COMMODITIES BORROWED FROM
THE DISPLACED EMERGENCY IN THE NORTH FOR THE REFUGEE
EMERGENCY IN THE SOUTH. THIS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO
MONITORING THAT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR US HERE TO
ACCOMPLISH.
33. WE BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD IMPRESS ON THE RPF AT
EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT, WHILE WE WANT TO ASSIST
PEOPLE IN NEED, INTERNATIONAL DONOR ASSISTANCE IS
ALWAYS BASED ON NEEDS ASSESSMENTS CARRIED OUT BY
INTERMATIONAL AUTHORITIES IN COORDINATION WITH LOCAL
OFFICIALS AND AFFECTED GROUPS. WE SEEK THEIR
COOPERATION IN DETERMINING THE NEEDS OF THE
SPONTANEOUS RETURNEES SO THAT SCARE RESOURCES CAN BE
USED EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY.
RAWSON
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