US embassy cable - 04ACCRA1220

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 001220 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR PRM/A, GENEVA FOR RMA 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PREF, PHUM, GH, refugees 
SUBJECT: PRM A/S DEWEY'S DISCUSSIONS WITH OPE 
 
 
1.  Summary:  A/S Dewey and the Overseas Processing 
Entity (OPE) Representative and Staff held fruitful 
discussions during the recent trip by A/S Dewey to W. 
Africa.  Touching on issues related to 9/11, new 
caseloads, partner relations, efforts to meet the FY 04 
ceiling as well as the many benefits of WRAPS, Dewey was 
presented with a thorough debriefing of OPE operations 
in the region.  Positive words of appreciation and 
encouragement by A/S Dewey were well-received and 
bolstered team efforts to move another 3,000 refugees by 
October 1.  End Summary. 
 
2. During a representational dinner, OPE Director 
Frances Tinsley and A/S Dewey discussed a myriad of 
issues related to OPE processing in the region.  The 
two focused on three general areas of concern: 1) USRP 
progress made since 9/11 on moving cases out of West 
Africa, 2) the need for new caseloads and 3) partner 
relations.  All three points were of keen interest to 
the Assistant Secretary and are detailed below. 
 
3.  9/11 - Getting over the Hurdles.  Due to the hiatus 
in processing following the events of 9/11, numerous 
hurdles arose as the Department struggled to address 
security concerns related to the refugee program. 
Tinsley emphasized that in the last year, the process 
had picked up great speed as many 9/11 related policies 
had been ironed out.  The eventual normalization of the 
RAVU process between Washington DHS, OPE and RPC was 
welcomed recently by all and proved instrumental in 
resolving the fate of thousands of refugees in limbo. 
While the movement on RAVU policy assisted in breaking 
the logjam, partner efforts were redoubled to address 
those cases that had been stuck at various stages 
throughout the year. Underscoring the importance and 
success of the individual trouble-shooting partner 
meetings, the myriad of concerns have eventually 
ameliorated.  Partners continue to convene weekly to 
scrutinize SOPs and dislodge cases through meetings on 
IOM/OPE data reconciliation, cases that fall through 
the cracks, displaced refugees from Ivory Coast and DHS 
policy issue and practical processing meetings. 
 
4.  The Need for New Caseloads - Our Pipeline Runs Dry. 
Tinsley mentioned the increased competition for cases 
in West Africa by other refugee resettlement countries. 
The number of missions now based in Ghana, competing 
for the same caseloads as the US Government include the 
British and Canadians with the Australians preparing to 
establish a presence next year.  In identifying new 
group referrals, Tinsley urged A/S Dewey to push for 
more initial involvement with OPE in order to avoid the 
numerous problems associated with the Abidjan 
operation.  A/S Dewey mentioned the need to move 
processing more towards a "rescue mission" as opposed 
to bigger P-2 programs of the past.  Noting there is 
now a more urgent need to have OPE process quickly in 
designated places, Tinsley assured A/S Dewey that OPE 
was up to the task, as evidenced by its recent trip to 
the North of Ghana to pre-screen 400 Sierra Leoneans 
from Krisan camp.  Tinsley made a pitch to allow OPE to 
process Visas 93s in the region as opposed to Accra 
only. (Comment: This proposal was presented by Refcoord 
to PRM and DHS last year and while plausible to PRM, 
appeared a non-starter with DHS Rome and Washington. 
End comment). 
 
5) Partner Relations - A Tone of Collaboration. 
Expressing appreciation for Refcoord's past efforts, 
Tinsley emphasized the need for continuity upon the 
appointment of the new refcoord.  Outlining the 
accomplishments of the current refcoord, Tinsley kindly 
attributed the tone for the partner's collaboration to 
Nadeau.  Specifically, Tinsley outlined partner efforts 
to find unlocatable cases (many lost during the Ivorian 
civil disturbances) throughout the region that had been 
sitting for months and sometimes years.  While these 
numbers do not represent a significant number of cases, 
the effort to locate and process from a wide variety of 
locations enforced partners' needs to work 
collaboratively to move difficult caseloads. 
Discussing how OPE has become the "clearing house" for 
data exchange with the partner's given the advent of 
WRAPS and the thoroughness of OPE pre/post 
efforts, this exchange has encouraged a collegial 
approach to processing by all partners. 
 
6) A/S Dewey toured OPE viewing every corner of the 
operation and providing strong words of encouragement 
to staff along the way.  In a general meeting with 
senior staff, a question and answer session ensued with 
thoughtful discussion on the need to have written 
guidance from Washington in a timely manner, the 
possibility of resettling Sudanese refugees and the 
overall efforts made to increase departures to meet the 
fiscal year ceiling of 8,500.  The OPE team whole- 
heartedly supported the RPC and WRAPS, saying it 
simplifies their work efforts tremendously.  Dewey 
received the new positively stating he was pleased to 
see the team embrace WRAPS. The meeting ended with a 
mutual note of appreciation from OPE staff for the 
Assistant Secretary's visit. 
7.  Comment.  Tinsley and OPE staff were clearly 
pleased and appreciative of the A/S's visit, mentioning 
at numerous occasions the impact his encouraging words 
had on staff.  While the pressure has been on West 
Africa to bring in numbers, the hurdles presented have 
been met at every stage by OPE staff who have worked 
tirelessly to overcome them.  This was an opportune 
time to illustrate those efforts to the Assistant 
Secretary.  End comment. 
 
SIPDIS