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AH37
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INFO
LOG-00
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KIGALI
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02255
01 OF 06
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39F388 031226Z /48
P 031200Z JUN 92
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0822
INFO USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
CONFIDENTIALSECTION 01 OF 06 KIGALI 02255
GENEVA FOR RMA
PARIS FOR FENDRICK; LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
E.O. 12356:DECL: OADR
TAGS: PREF, UNHCR, RW, BY, CG, TZ, UG
SUBJECT: DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR RWANDAN REFUGEES:
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REFS: (A)
(C)
(B)
(G)
(I)
(K)
1.
KIGALI 02255 01 OF 06 031211Z
TIME TO PUSH THE PROCESS
KIGALI 2140, (B)
GENEVA 1258, (D)
91 STATE 372569,
91 KAMPALA 4777,
GENEVA 337
KIGALI 2202
KAMPALA 2916
DAR ES SALAAM 2411,
(F) 91 BUJUMBURA 4259,
(H) KIGALI 2020
(J)
91 STATE 316382
(L) STATE 17289
CONFIDENTIAL - ENTIRE TEXT.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: JOHN L MILLS
DATE/CASE ID: 15 SEP 2008 200103014
UNCLASSIFIED
ANHR-01
L-03
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UNCLASSIFIED
2. SUMMARY. RWANDA'S NEW MULTI-PARTY GOVERNMENT HAS AS
ITS TOP PRIORITY ENDING HOSTILITIES WITH THE RWANDAN
PATRIOTIC FRONT. SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS IN KAMPALA WITH
UGANDAN OFFICIALS AND A RPF REPRESENTATIVE HAVE BREATHED
NEW LIFE IN THE PROSPECTS FOR PEACE, WITH MEETINGS SET
FOR EARLY JUNE BETWEEN THE GOR AND THE RPF TO DISCUSS A
CEASE-FIRE AND THE AGENDA FOR A POLITICAL DIALOGUE (REFS
A AND B). THE US SHOULD SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY OF THIS
NEW MOMENTUM TO STIMULATE RENEWED ACTIVITY IN
PREPARATION FOR THE UNHCR/OAU PLAN OF ACTION TO RESOLVE
THE RWANDAN REFUGEE PROBLEM WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE
DAR ES SALAAM DECLARATION OF 1991. ALTHOUGH FEW
REFUGEES ARE LIKELY TO RETURN BEFORE PEACE AND INTERNAL
SECURITY ARE ASSURED, PREPARATIONS FOR THAT EVENTUALITY,
STALLED SINCE FEBRUARY AND LAGGING SORELY BEHIND IN SOME
COUNTRIES OF THE REGION, SHOULD BEGIN AGAIN NOW.
RWANDA'S NEW MINISTER FOR LABOR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS,
LANDO NDASINGWA, PLANS TO STEP UP THE PACE OF RWANDAN
PREPARATIONS FOR REFUGEE RETURN AND WILL PUT HIS
COUNTRY'S CASE FOR RENEWED ACTIVITY BEFORE UN HIGH
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PAGE 03
COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES IN GENEVA IN EARLY JUNE.
SUMMARY.
END
RENEWED MOMENTUM TOWARD PEACE
3. THE MULTI-PARTY GOVERNMENT THAT TOOK OFFICE IN
RWANDA IN MID-APRIL, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF AN
OPPOSITION PRIME MINISTER MADE ENDING THE 18-MONTH OLD
WAR WITH THE RWANDAN PATRIOTIC FRONT (RPF) ITS TOP
PRIORITY. FOLLOWING THE FOREIGN MINISTER'S TRIP TO
KAMPALA MAY 22-24, A MEETING BETWEEN THE GOR AND THE RPF
IS SET FOR EARLY JUNE IN PARIS. MODALITIES OF A
CEASE-FIRE, IDENTIFICATION OF THE POLITICAL ISSUES TO BE
NEGOTIATED AND A SCHEDULE FOR FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS WILL
BE ON THE AGENDA. A/S FOR AFRICA, AMBASSADOR HERMAN
COHEN, WHO RECENTLY VISITED BOTH UGANDA AND RWANDA,
CONCLUDED THAT THE TIME IS RIPE FOR A SOLUTION TO THE
WAR. OAU SECRETARY GENERAL SALIM SALIM SUBSEQUENTLY
ECHOED THIS SENTIMENT TO KIGALI DIPLOMATS AND GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS. NO ONE IN THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER ANY
ILLUSION THAT RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT WILL BE QUICK
OR EASY. THEY ARE, HOWEVER, DETERMINED TO END THE
FIGHTING, WHICH IS CRIPPLING RWANDA'S ECONOMY AND
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PROVIDING EXCUSES FOR ETHNIC VIOLENCE AND INTERNAL
INSECURITY.
RENEWED MOMENTUM ON REFUGEE REPATRIATION
4. CLOSELY LINKED IN THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAM TO ENDING
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THE WAR IS RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM OF RWANDAN
REFUGEES. THE PRIME MINISTER, IN PRESENTING HIS
PROGRAM, COMMITTED THE TRANSITION GOVERNMENT TO:
-- CONTINUING COLLABORATION WITH UNHCR AND THE OAU TO
FINALIZE THE PLAN OF ACTION FOR REPATRIATION OF RWANDAN
REFUGEES;
-- SEEKING AN EXHAUSTIVE CENSUS OF RWANDAN REFUGEES;
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39F354 031225Z /4B
P 031200Z JUN 92
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0823
UNCLASSIFIED
INFO USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIALSECTION 02 OF 06 KIGALI 02255
GENEVA FOR RMA
PARIS FOR FENDRICK; LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
E.O. 12356:DECL: OADR
TAGS: PREF, UNHCR, RW, BY, CG, TZ, UG
SUBJECT: DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR RWANDAN REFUGEES:
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KIGALI 02255 02 OF 06 031213Z
-- GUARANTEEING REFUGEES THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS;
-- DISCUSSING WITH THE REFUGEES THEMSELVES THE
PRACTICAL MODALITIES OF THEIR REPATRIATION OR THEIR
INSTALLATION IN THE COUNTRY OF THEIR CHOICE, WITH
DIPLOMATIC PROTECTION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF RWANDA;
-- NEGOTIATING A SOLUTION TO THE REFUGEE PROBLEM WITH
THE PRINCIPAL ASYLUM COUNTRIES;
-- INVOLVING ALL THE POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND MORAL
FORCES OF THE COUNTRY IN THE DIALOGUE WITH THE REFUGEES;
-- ESTABLISHING A DIVISION IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOR AND
SOCIAL AFFAIRS CHARGED WITH CONDUCTING THE DIALOGUE WITH
THE REFUGEES, CONDUCTING A CAMPAIGN TO SENSITIZE THE
RWANDAN POPULATION TO THE RETURN AND REINTEGRATION OF
REFUGEES, IDENTIFYING REINSTALLATION SITES, AND
CONDUCTING A STUDY OF THEIR PREPARATION.
5. THE MINISTER FOR LABOR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS, LANDO
NDASINGWA (THE ONLY TUTSI IN THE GOVERNMENT), TOLD THE
EMBASSY THAT HIS PRIMARY EMPHASIS DURING HIS TIME IN
GOVERNMENT (HE PLANS TO RETURN TO BUSINESS AFTER THE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
TRANSITION) WILL BE RESOLUTION OF THE RWANDAN REFUGEE
PROBLEM. IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THE EMBASSY AND
UNHCR/KIGALI REPRESENTATIVE HE HAS SAID HIS ENERGIES
WILL INITIALLY FOCUS ON:
-- ESTABLISHING A REFUGEE DIVISION: THE GOR SOUGHT
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KIGALI 02255 02 OF 06 031213Z
ADVISE FROM UNHCR ABOUT HOW TO ORGANIZE ITS NEW REFUGEE
OFFICE. THE PROPOSAL IS BEFORE THE COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
AND A DIRECTOR GENERAL HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.
-- DEVELOPING A SENSITIZATION CAMPAIGN: THE MINISTER
PRESENTED A/S COHEN WITH A USD 160,000 PROPOSAL, DRAWN
UP JOINTLY WITH UNHCR/KIGALI, FOR USING THE GOVERNMENT'S
POPULAR EDUCATION NETWORK TO SENSITIZE RWANDANS TO THE
RETURN OF REFUGEES. THE PRIME MINISTER SAID THE
CAMPAIGN SHOULD BEGIN IN MAY, BUT LACK OF FUNDS AND THE
ABSENSE OF CONCRETE PLANS WILL DELAY START UP.
UNHCR/KIGALI HAS ARGUED TO ITS GENEVA HEADQUARTERS THAT
THIS CAMPAIGN, AS IMPORTANT TO THE PREPARATION OF THE
PLAN OF ACTION AS ARE THE INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS IN
ASYLUM COUNTRIES, SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE PLAN OF ACTION
PREPARATORY ACTIVITIES AND FUNDED FROM DONOR
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THAT PURPOSE. ALTERNATIVELY,
UNHCR/KIGALI SUGGESTS INCLUDING FUNDING FOR THE CAMPAIGN
UNDER A PROPOSED PROJECT FOR REPATRIATION OF INDIVIDUAL
RWANDAN REFUGEES, NOW ARRIVING SPORADICALLY IN THE
COUNTRY. (NOTE: THIS PROJECT IS UNDER REVIEW IN
UNHCR'S ANNUAL TARGET REVIEW.)
-- PROVIDING PASSPORTS FOR REFUGEES: THE OFFER OF
PASSPORTS FOR REFUGEES HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE FOR OVER A
YEAR. THE GOVERNMENT IS BEGINNING TO DISCUSS THE
IMPLICATIONS OF FULFILLING THIS PROMISE, ESPECIALLY WITH
REGARD TO THE ROLE OF THE REFUGEES HOLDING PASSPORTS IN
THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, IN PARTICULAR IN VOTING IN THE
ELECTIONS EXPECTED TO TARE PLACE OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
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KIGALI 02255 02 OF 06 031213Z
-- ESTABLISHING DIRECT DIALOGUE WITH THE REFUGEES: THE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
MINISTER HAS ASKED UNHCR FOR ASSISTANCE IN THIS. HE
SUGGESTED TO UNHCR THAT HE INVITE REFUGEES TO A MEETING
IN KIGALI TO DISCUSS REPATRIATION.
-- NEGOTIATING WITH UGANDA ON REFUGEE ISSUES:
RESOLUTION OF THE RWANDAN REFUGEE PROBLEM WILL BE ON THE
AGENDA OF A BILATERAL WORKING LEVEL MEETING IN KIGALI
ABOUT JUNE 10.
-- LAUNCHING ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STUDIES: THE MINISTER
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39F35F 031225Z /48
P 031200Z JUN 92
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0824
INFO USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
CONFIDENTIALSECTION 03 OF 06 KIGALI 02255
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
GENEVA FOR RMA
PARIS FOR FENDRICK; LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
E.O. 12356:DECL: OADR
TAGS: PREF, UNHCR, RW, BY, CG, TZ, UG
SUBJECT: DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR RWANDAN REFUGEES:
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KIGALI 02255 03 OF 06 031215Z
OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS TOLD DIPLOMATS THAT THE SOCIAL
AFFAIRS MINISTRY WOULD CONDUCT THESE STUDIES WITH UNDP
FUNDING.
6. IN A MEETING MAY 27, PRESIDENT HABYARIMANA ADVISED
WESTERN DIPLOMATS THAT RWANDA WOULD NEED HELP TO TRULY
INTEGRATE RETURNING REFUGEES INTO RWANDAN SOCIETY. HE
NOTED THAT THE WORLD BANK MAY NOT HAVE TAKEN RETURNING
REFUGEES INTO ITS CALCULATIONS (REF K).
MINISTER TO DEMARCHE UNHCR
7. MINISTER NDASINGWA WILL BE IN GENEVA JUNE 5-6 TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE ILO ANNUAL MEETING. HE INDICATED TO
UNHCR/KIGALI REPRESENTATIVE HIS INTEREST IN MEETING
REFUGEE HIGH COMMIISSIONER SADAKO OGATA EITHER JUNE 4 OR
5. HIS DEMARCHE WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE SIMILAR TO THAT
WHICH HE MADE MAY 11 TO A/S COHEN (REF H):
-- DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PUSH BURUNDI AND ZAIRE TO
ALLOW UNHCR CONSULTANTS TO CONDUCT THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC
SURVEYS OF THE REFUGEE POPULATION CALLED FOR PRIOR TO
FORMULATION OF THE PLAN OF ACTION.
-- HOLD A UNHCR/OAU/UNDP MEETING TO EVALUATE THE STATUS
OF PREPARATION FOR THE PLAN OF ACTION FOR RWANDAN
REFUGEES AND DETERMINE THE NEXT STEPS.
-- CALL A MEETING OF DONORS TO EXAMINE THE OUTCOME OF
THE UNHCR/OAU/UNDP MEETING.
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KIGALI 02255 03 OF 06 0312152
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
-- HIRE RWANDANS AT UNHCR TO BALANCE THE BURUNDIANS
ALREADY ON THE STAFF.
PROGRESS TO DATE IN RWANDA
S. THE MINISTER WILL ALSO REMIND HIGH COMMISSIONER
OGATA THAT RWANDA HAS ALREADY PASSED AN AMNESTY LAW FOR
RETURNING REFUGEES, IDENTIFIED REINTEGRATION SITES AND
HAD UNHCR CONDUCT AN INITIAL STUDY OF POTENTIAL
REINTEGRATION ACTIVITIES. THE LAW, ABSOLVING REFUGEES
OF CRIMES THEY MAY HAVE COMMITTED BEFORE THE LAW TOOK
EFFECT, WAS PROMULGATED IN DECEMBER 1991. THE COUNCIL
OF MINISTERS APPROVED 17,000 HECTARES OF LAND LAST
NOVEMBER FOR REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT FOLLOWING
RECOMMENDATIONS DEVELOPED IN CONJUNCTION WITH UNHCR BY
THE SPECIAL COMMISSION ON THE PROBLEM OF RWANDAN
EMIGRES.
9. IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1991, A UNHCR CONSULTING TEAM
SURVEYED THE IDENTIFIED SITES, ASSESSED THE GENERAL
ECONOMIC SITUATION IN RWANDA AND MADE RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR AN INITIAL REINTEGRATION STRATEGY. THE STRATEGY,
DESCRIBED IN A FEBRUARY 1992 REPORT MADE AVAILABLE TO
THE DCM, PROPOSES A 3-YEAR, PHASED RETURN OF
APPROXIMATELY 55,000 REFUGEES TO IDENTIFIED RURAL AREAS
AS WELL AS TO FAMILIES OF ORIGIN OR TO INDIVIDUAL
LOCATIONS. THE TEAM INVESTIGATED BOTH FARM AND NON-FARM
ACTIVITIES FOR RETURNEES. THE TEAM'S FINDINGS INDICATED
THAT THE IDENTIFIED LAND WAS INSUFFICIENT FOR EXTENSIVE
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KIGALI 02255 03 OF 06 031215Z
CATTLE RAISING (WHERE CATTLE RANGE OVER A LARGE AREA),
WHEREAS INTENSIVE CATTLE RAISING (WHERE SEVERAL FAMILIES
WITH ONE OR TWO CATTLE EACH SHARE 5-6 HECTARES) MIGHT BE
FEASIBLE. THE TEAM SUGGESTED OFF-FARM ACTIVITIES IN THE
AREAS OF CONSTRUCTION, SMALL BUSINESS, EDUCATION, AND
HEALTH MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO RETURNEES IN AND AROUND THE
SETTLEMENT AREAS. THE GOVERNMENT IS STUDYING THE
REPORT.
10.
MEANWHILE, UNDP IS DEVELOPING TERMS OF REFERENCE
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KIGALI 02255 04 OF 06 031217Z
AF-01
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P 031200Z JUN 92
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0825
INFO USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
CONFIDENTIALSECTION 04 OF 06 KIGALI 02255
GENEVA FOR RMA
PARIS FOR FENDRICK; LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
E.O. 12356:DECL: OADR
TAGS: PREF, UNHCR, RW, BY, CG, TZ, UG
SUBJECT: DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR RWANDAN REFUGEES:
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KIGALI 02255 04 OF 06 031217Z
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
FOR AN INTEGRATION STUDY, PRESUMABLY FOR DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS THAT WOULD PICK UP WHERE UNHCR'S ROLE ENDS.
PREPARATIONS IN THE REGION
11. RWANDA'S MINISTER WILL ALSO NO DOUBT REMIND THE
HIGH COMMISSIONER THAT WHILE UGANDA AND TANZANIA HAVE
COOPERATED WITH UNHCR IN CONDUCTING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC
SURVEYS CALLED FOR IN THE PREPARATORY PHASE OF THE PLAN
OF ACTION, BURUNDI AND ZAIRE HAVE NOT. HE WILL PROBABLY
NOTE THAT THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK ENABLING REFUGEES TO
CHOOSE NATURALIZATION IN THE COUNTRY OF ASYLUM IS YET TO
BE PUT IN PLACE EVERYWHERE EXCEPT TANZANIA, WHERE
PROCESSING OF NATURALIZATION APPLICATIONS REMAINS SLOW.
12. BURUNDI IS THE MOST EGREGIOUS OF THE NEIGHBORS IN
ITS BACKSLIDING ON THE DAR-ES-SALAAM COMMITMENTS (REF
F). IT HAS NOT YET PERMITTED THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC SURVEY
NOR DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK. AT A
DECEMBER 1991 MEETING OF DONORS ON THE REFUGEE ISSUE,
THE BURUNDI AMBASSADOR SAID THAT BURUNDI COULD NOT/NOT
BE COUNTED ON TO IMPLEMENT ITS COMMITMENT TO
NATURALIZATION OF RWANDAN REFUGEES. HE CITED RECEPTION
OF ITS OWN REFUGEES (CLAIMING 18,000 HAD ALREADY
RETURNED) AS AN INHIBITING REASON. HE STATED THAT
BURUNDI WOULD NOT REFOULE THE REFUGEES, BUT HE SAID TO
GRANT THEM NATURALIZATION OR ALLOW THEM TO STAY AS
RWANDAN CITIZENS WILL BE DIFFICULT.
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KIGALI 02255 04 OF 06 031217Z
13. THE UPHEAVAL IN ZAIRE LAST FALL HAS PREVENTED
FORWARD MOVEMENT ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE PLAN OF ACTION
IN THAT COUNTRY. THERE ARE, NEVERTHELESS, SERIOUS
QUESTIONS OUTSTANDING. THE STATUS OF RWANDAN REFUGEES
IN KIVU IS PARAMOUNT. IN 1972 ALL WERE ACCORDED ZAIREAN
CITIZENSHIP. IN 1987/88 THIS CITIZENSHIP WAS
WITHDRAWN. RWANDANS RESIDENT IN KIVU UPWARDS OF 30
YEARS DO NOT ACCEPT THIS CHANGE AND HAVE REFUSED TO
COOPERATE WITH A 1991 CENSUS IN THE KIVU REGION.
14. UGANDA IS ALSO A WORRY TO UNHCR/KIGALI
REPRESENTATIVE. ITS NATURALIZATION LEGISLATION HAS BEEN
PENDING FOR OVER TWO YEARS AND DOESN'T INCLUDE PROVISION
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
FOR NATURALIZATION OF RWANDAN REFUGEES (REF G). THE
UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE HAS URGED UNHCR LEGAL OFFICER
KIMBIMBI TO PREPARE A MEMORANDUM ON THE FINDINGS OF HIS
REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE PROVIDED UNHCR ON THE LEGAL
SITUATIONS IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE REGION IN ORDER TO
PROMOTE DISCUSSION OF THIS ISSUE.
THE ROLE OF REGIONAL SKEPTICISM
15. RWANDA'S NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN UNIVERSALLY SKEPTICAL
ABOUT RWANDA'S COMMITMENT TO RESOLVING ITS REFUGEE
PROBLEM. THEY CLAIMED THAT RWANDA WAS NOT SERIOUS, THAT
HABYARIMANA STILL RETAINS CONTROL, THAT RWANDA IS NOT
SAFE FOR REFUGEE RETURN. THE NEW GOVERNMENT IS HELPING
TO CHANGE THIS ATTITUDE, AS VISITS OF THE FOREIGN
MINISTER TO BURUNDI AND UGANDA LEFT OFFICIALS OF THOSE
COUNTRIES REPORTEDLY BELIEVING HE IS SINCERE IN HIS
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KIGALI 02255 04 OF 06 031217Z
EFFORTS TO RESTORE PEACE AND IMPROVE BILATERAL
RELATIONS.
16. NEVERTHELESS, THIS REGIONAL SKEPTICISM IS REFLECTED
IN UNHCR DOCUMENTATION. THE REPORT OF THE FEBRUARY 7
UNHCR/OAU MEETING ON RWANDAN REFUGEES EXPRESSED
PESSIMISM ABOUT FURTHER PROGRESS ON THE PREPARATORY
ACTIVITIES FOR THE PLAN OF ACTION UNTIL THERE IS A
SOLUTION TO THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY ISSUES IN THE
REGION (REF C). AM APRIL 7 REPORT TO THE UNHCR
SUB-COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MATTERS
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ACTION RP-10
KIGALI
INFO
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02255
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39F380 031226Z /48
P 031200Z JUN 92
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0826
INFO USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
coNFIDENTIALsECTION 05 OF 06 KIGALI 02255
GENEVA FOR RMA
PARIS FOR FENDRICK; LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
E.O. 12356:DECL: OADR
TAGS: PREF, UNHCR, RW, BY, CG, TZ, UG
SUBJECT: DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR RWANDAN REFUGEES:
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KIGALI 02255 05 OF 06 031218Z
(SCAF) PROJECTING POSSIBLE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION
PROGRAMS FOR 1992 (SHARED WITH DCM BY UNHCR/KIGALI),
FAILS TO MENTION STALLED PROGRESS IN THE REGION ON
PREPARATIONS FOR THE PLAN OF ACTION AND HOLDS "INTERNAL
EVENTS IN RWANDA" RESPONSIBLE FOR DELAYING
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN OF ACTION. (IN CONTRAST,
CONSTRAINTS TO REPATRIATION TO BURUNDI ARE CITED IN THE
SCAF REPORT AS "LOGISTICAL" WHICH WILL BE OVERCOME BY
THE OPENING OF A UNHCR OFFICE IN KIGOMA, TANZANIA.)
EVEN HIGH COMMISIONER OGATA APPARENTLY WANTS TO WAIT FOR
THE END OF THE CONFLICT BEFORE MOVING FORWARD ON THE
UNCLASSIFIED
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RWANDAN REFUGEE PROBLEM (REF L).
UNCLASSIFIED
PLAN OF ACTION DISTINCT FROM PREPARATIONS
-
17. UNHCR AFRICA DIRECTOR BWAKIRA WAS CORRECT IN SAYING
THAT REPATRIATION TO RWANDA MUST WAIT FOR A CEASE-FIRE
AMD THE BEGINNING OF THE POLITICAL DIALOGUE (REF I).
CLEARLY, BEFORE ANY PLAN OF ACTION CAN BE IMPLEMENTED
BOTH THE WAR AND THE INTERNAL SECURITY SITUATION MUST BE
BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL SO THAT REFUGEES CAN RETURN IN
SAFETY AWD DIGNITY. HOWEVER, BEFORE THEY CAN BE
EXPECTED TO CHOOSE AMONG THE DAR ES SALAAM OPTIONS, THEY
MUST BE EQUALLY ABLE TO CHOOSE NATURALIZATION OR LOCAL
INTEGRATION. THEREFORE, PREPARATIONS FOR THE PLAN OF
ACTION, BOTH IN RWANDA AND IN NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES,
SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO STALL UNTIL PEACE AND SECURITY
ARE ARRANGED. IF THEY ARE, IMPLEMENTATION WILL BE
FUTHER DELAYED WHILE THE COUNTRIES WORK OUT THE DETAILS
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NECESSARY TO OFFER REFUGEES A REAL CHOICE BETWEEN
REPATRIATION, NATURALIZATION, OR LOCAL SETTLEMENT.
IMPLICATIONS FOR U.S. POLICY
18. THE U.S. REMAINS COMMITTED TO ENCOURAGING
RECONCILIATION IN RWANDA AND FINDING A COMPREHENSIVE
SOLUTION TO THE RWANDAN REFUGEE PROBLEM (REF J). USING
THE RECENT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN RWANDA AND THE
MOMENTUM TOWARD A CEASE-FIRE AND POLITICAL DIALOGUE WITH
THE RPF AS AN IMPETUS, AS WELL AS THE MAY 11 DEMARCHE TO
A/S COHEN BY THE RWANDAN MINISTER OF LABOR AND SOCIAL
AFFAIRS, THE U.S. SHOULD APPROACH UNHCR TO:
-- URGE THAT IT MOVE AHEAD ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE PLAN
OF ACTION TO RESOLVE THE RWANDAN REFUGEE PROBLEM,
STALLED SINCE COMPLETION OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDIES
IN RWANDA, TANZANIA, AND UGANDA.
-- ASK FOR A READ-OUT ON THE MAY MEETING OF THE UNHCR
TASK FORCE CALLED FOR AT THE FEBRUARY 7 UNHCR/OAU
MEETING TO REVIEW PROGRESS TOWARD THE PLAN OF ACTION.
-- PUSH FOR A UNHCR/OAU MEETING TO REVIEW THE STATUS OF
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PREPARATIONS FOR THE PLAN OF ACTION AND TO REPORT ON
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FEBRUARY 7
MEETING.
-- ENCOURAGE UNHCR/OAU TO REPEAT ITS DEMARCHES TO ZAIRE
AND BURUNDI (PRESUMING THEY HAVE BEEN MADE) TO PERMIT
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THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDIES OF RWANDAN REFUGEES.
-- ENCOURAGE UNHCR/OAU TO PURSUE NEGOTIATIONS ON
NATURALIZATION AND LOCAL SETTLEMENT OPTIONS WITH THE
GOVERNMENTS OF THE REGION.
-- SUPPORT UNHCR FINANCING FOR A SENSITIZATION CAMPAIGN
IN RWANDA NOW.
-- ENCOURAGE A DRAFT PLAN OF ACTION TO BE DRAWN UP SOON.
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ACTION RP-10
KIGALI 02255 06 OF 06 160854Z
CIAE-00
AID-01 AMAD-01 CA-02
INFO LOG-00 COR-01 AF-01
HHS-04 INRE-00 INR-01 10-19
DODE-00 EUR-01 HA-09
FMP-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 01C-02 SR-01
VO-O6
L-03
/063W
3F3BF1 160901Z /38
P 031200Z JUN 92
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0827
INFO USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY
UNCLASSIFIED
AMEMBASSY
AMEMBASSY
AMEMBASSY
AMEMBASSY
AMEMBASSY
AMEMBASSY
AMEMBASSY
AMEMBASSY
BUJUMBURA
BRUSSELS
DAR ES SALAAM
LONDON
NAIROBI
PARIS
KAMPALA
ADDIS ABABA
UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIALSECTION 06 OF 06 KIGALI 02255
C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (PAPAS 19 AND 20)
GENEVA FOR RMA
PARIS FOR FENDRICK; LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
E.O. 12356:DECL: OADR
TAGS: PREF, UNHCR, RW, BY, CG, TZ, UG
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SUBJECT: DURABLE SOLUTIONS FOR RWANDAN REFUGEES:
-- URGE UNHCR TO ENCOURAGE THE GOVERNMENTS OF RWANDA
AND THE COUNTRIES OF THE REGION TO MAKE THEIR PLANS FOR
REINTEGRATION ACTIVITIES MORE CONCRETE. IN PARTICULAR,
UNHCR SHOULD ENCOURAGE THE COUNTRIES OF THE REGION TO
DEVELOP MECHANISMS FOR INVOLVING UNDP AND THE WORLD BANK
IN PRACTICAL ANALYSIS AND JOINT PROJECT PLANNING (NOT
JUST IN FINANCING STUDIES) FOR INTEGRATION AND
REINTEGRATION.
19. THE U.S. SHOULD SUPPORT UNHCR DEMARCHES WITH
DEMARCHES OF IT OWN.
20. WE BELIEVE IT WOULD ALSO BE USEFUL FOR RMA/GENEVA
TO TALK WITH MINISTER NDASINGWA WHILE HE IS IN GENEVA.
THE MINISTER, WHO HAS ALREADY DEPARTED KIGALI, COULD BE
CONTACTED VIA THE RWANDAN DELEGATION AT THE ILO MEETINGS.
CONCLUSION
21. RECENT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS INSIDE RWANDA AND
BETWEEN RWANDA AND ITS NEIGHBORS MAKE THE TIME RIGHT FOR
THE U.S. TO RENEW ITS INTEREST IN A REGIONAL SOLUTION TO
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
THE RWANDAN REFUGEE PROBLEM THE U.S. SHOULD ENCOURAGE
UNHCR TO SEIZE THE CURRENT MOMENTUM TOWARD PEACE AND A
CEASEFIRE TO REINVIGORATE ITS PLANNING PROCESS TOWARD A
PLAN OF ACTION TO IMPLEMENT THE DAR ES SALAAM AGREEMENT
FOR RWANDAN REFUGEES.
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FLATEN
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UNCLASSIFIED
