US embassy cable - 04ROME879

UNCLAS  ROME 000879 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME 
 
KATHMANDU FOR AMBASSADOR MALINOWSKI AND USAID DIRECTOR CLARK 
STATE FOR AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, SA/INS AND IO/EDA BEHREND AND 
KOTOK 
USAID FOR DAA/DCHA GRIGSBY, DCHA/FFP LANDIS, ANE/ESA 
USDA/FAS FOR CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH/GAINOR 
GENEVA FOR AMBASSADOR MOLEY, RMA LYNCH AND NKYLOH/USAID 
USUN FOR AMBASSADOR NEGROPONTE AND MLUTZ 
BRUSSELS FOR USAID/LERNER 
NSC OR JDWORKEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, EAGR, AORC, PREF, KUNR, WFP, UNHCR 
SUBJECT: WFP BOARD PPROVES NEPAL PROTRACTED RELIEF AND 
RECOVERY OPEATION (PRRO) VALUED AT U.S. DOLLARS (USD) 7.59 
MILION - 19,226 METRIC TONS 
 
REF: (A) 03 ROME 1295 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1. The WFP Execuive Board, at its first regular session 
(Februar 23-26), approved a Protracted Relief and Recovery 
Operation for Nepal. The project 10058.3, entitle Food 
Assistance to Bhutanese refugees in Nepal,is for twelve 
months (July 2004-June 2005), and overs 99,600 
beneficiaries. Total cost to WFP isUSD 7.59 million. Over 
the life-of-project, WFP ill supply (subject to the 
availability of funds)a total of 19,226 metric tons of food 
aid. End smmary. 
 
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Background 
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. Refugees from Bhutan - mostly ethnic Nepalis - bgan 
fleeing to Nepal in late 1990, with the inflx peaking in 
1992. The population is now stabilizd in seven camps in 
Eastern Nepal, and it appear that most Bhutanese refugees 
prefer to return t Bhutan. In 2003, Nepalese and Bhutanese 
Joint Vrification Teams completed the verification and 
ategorization of refugees in Khudunabari Camp.  Thoe 
refugees in Categories (I) Bhutanese citizens ompelled to 
leave Bhutan; (II) Bhutanese who volntarily left Bhutan; 
and (IV) alleged criminals  were scheduled to be offered 
repatriation to Bhtan in February 2004.  However, an 
incident on December 22, 2003, in which refugees attacked 
Bhutaese officials in Khudunabari Camp, resulted in the 
postponement of the repatriation.  Displeased wih the 
stated terms and conditions for return, Bhutanese refugee 
leaders demand that returnees regain Bhutanese citizenship 
as well as access to their original land and employment 
opportunities. UNHCR announced plans in October 2003 to 
gradually phase out its assistance in the camps over a two- 
year period while focusing on fostering self-reliance 
activities, referring vulnerable cases for resettlement, and 
ensuring any returns to Bhutan are voluntary.  UNHCR has 
already begun cutting assistance in 2004. 
 
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U.S. intervention in support of approval of the Nepal PRRO 
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3. Herewith the essence of the supportive U.S. intervention: 
 
-The USG continues to urge both Nepal and Bhutan to provide 
durable solutions for the more than 100,000 Bhutanese 
refugees in Nepal.  Both Governments need to promptly 
reengage the bilateral process to prepare for their 
repatriation and local integration.  Specific concerns 
raised by the refugees about the terms and conditions for 
return should be addressed. 
 
-USDEL encourages WFP to monitor how its operations in the 
Bhutanese refugee camps will be affected by UNHCR's reduced 
assistance.  We urge the UN to ensure that the basic needs 
of the Bhutanese refugees are met as Bhutan and Nepal 
revisit next steps on repatriation and local integration. 
 
-USDEL remains concerned with the fragile security situation 
that impacts not only UN staff but also the camp population 
in general. 
 
4. Other delegations were supportive of WFP's efforts. 
 
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WFP's Country Director responds 
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5. WFP's Country Director for Nepal (Ms. Erika Joergensen) 
reported that UNHCR has effectively ceased its support for 
the Joint Verification process. Nepal-Bhutan "talks," in her 
view, are at a "standstill."  She confirmed that the 
Government of Nepal has removed permanent police points in 
the camps, which in turn has heightened camp insecurity. 
Moreover, in October 2003, both districts hosting the camps 
were declared Phase 3 by the United Nations Security 
Coordinator (UNSECOORD), restricting United Nations staff to 
essential monitoring. 
 
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Donor support to WFP Nepal's ongoing PRRO 10058.2 covering 
the period July 2003-June 2004 
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6. U.S. contributions against the present WFP Nepal PRRO 
total USD 902,321 (2,021 metric tons). The PRRO's major 
donor is the European Community (ECHO), which has 
contributed USD 2.37 million (6,682 metric tons). Note. 
Overall contributions to the ongoing program through January 
9, 2004 are USD 6.9 million (19,574 metric tons), against an 
operations target of USD 8.57 million (20,044 metric tons). 
End note. 
 
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Executive Board approval 
------------------------ 
 
7. The WFP Board approved the Protracted Relief and Recovery 
Operation for Nepal. The project 10058.3, entitled Food 
Assistance to Bhutanese refugees in Nepal, is for twelve 
months (July 2004-June 2005), and covers 99,600 
beneficiaries. Total cost to WFP is USD 7.59 million. Over 
the life-of-project, WFP will supply (subject to the 
availability of funds) a total of 19,226 metric tons of food 
aid. Hall 
 
 
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	2004ROME00879 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED