This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AND KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
 
ROME 5421 
 
--------- 
SUMMARY 
--------- 
 
¶1.  USAID STAFF FROM THE U.S. MISSION IN ROME AND 
FOOD FOR PEACE/WASHINGTON TRAVELED TO GUINEA, 
LIBERIA, AND SENEGAL SEPTEMBER 29 THROUGH OCTOBER 9 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  01 OF 10  071545Z 
TO REVIEW THE FOOD SECURITY SITUATION FOR REFUGEES, 
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS), AND RESIDENTS 
WHOSE COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY INFLUXES OF 
EITHER GROUP.  THIS REPORT FOCUSES ON GUINEA SOLELY. 
LIBERIA WAS REPORTED VIA REF TEL. 
 
¶2.  KOUANKAN CAMP, LOCATED IN N'ZEREKORE PREFECTURE 
OF THE FOREST REGION OF GUINEA AND BUILT TO 
ACCOMMODATE 20,000 PERSONS, HAS NOW SWELLED TO A 
POPULATION OF 34,000.  SERIOUS SECURITY CONCERNS 
SURROUND THE SIZE OF THIS CAMP AND THE U.N. AGENCIES 
HAVE AGREED THAT ITS INHABITANTS SHOULD BE 
TRANSFERRED FURTHER NORTH TO THE ALBADARIAH REGION. 
LACK OF GUINEAN GOVERNMENT WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION AND 
THE U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES'S (UNHCR) 
EXTRAORDINARY PRICE TAG FOR THE TRANSFER HAVE SLOWED 
THE PROCESS.  WFP SAYS IT WILL STOP FOOD 
DISTRIBUTIONS BY THE END OF THE YEAR, IF THE TRANSFER 
IS NOT UNDERWAY. 
 
¶3.  THE NEW LAINE CAMP, BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE THE 
GROWING NUMBER OF LIBERIAN REFUGEES, IS ALREADY FULL. 
41,000 SIERRA LEONEAN REFUGEES REMAIN IN THE 
ALBADARIAH CAMPS, BUT MORE THAN HALF PLAN ON 
RETURNING AFTER THE HARVEST.  UNTIL THE END OF THE 
YEAR, UNHCR/GUINEA HAS HALTED THE ORGANIZED 
REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES DUE TO THE UNHCR/SIERRA 
LEONE FUNDING CRISIS.  REFUGEES WERE GIVEN LAND, 
SEEDS, AND TOOLS FOR PLANTING AND THE HARVEST LOOKS 
TO BE QUITE PROMISING.  THE EMERGENCY UNIT OF THE 
U.N. FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION (FAO/TCE) IS 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  01 OF 10  071545Z 
TO BE COMMENDED FOR ITS WORK HERE.  POST-DISTRIBUTION 
MONITORING OF WFP FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS IS WORKING WELL 
IN THE ALBADARIAH CAMPS AND SERIOUSLY OFF-TRACK IN 
N'ZEREKORE AND SEMBAKOUNYA.  DUE TO A VARIETY OF 
FACTORS, WFP'S WORK IN ASSESSING FOOD SECURITY OF THE 
REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS) HAS 
BEEN SLOW IN GETTING UNDERWAY.  THIS WORK WILL SERVE 
AS THE BASIS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SELF-RELIANCE 
STRATEGIES AND MAY CALL FOR A REDUCTION IN THE RATION 
SIZE OR A CHANGE IN PROGRAMMING.  WFP'S WEST AFRICA 
PASSENGER AIRCRAFT HAS EXPANDED THE SERVICE TO 
INCLUDE COTE D'IVOIRE, BUT FUNDING SHORTFALLS MAY 
REQUIRE IT TO SHUT DOWN IN DECEMBER.  SEE PARA 43 FOR 
RECOMMENDATIONS.  END SUMMARY 
I CANNOT GET RID OF THIS STUPID LINE.  CAN YOU?? 
 
------------- 
BACKGROUND 
------------- 
 
¶4.  SEPTEMBER 29 THROUGH OCTOBER 9, SENIOR EMERGENCY 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6717 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05454  02 OF 10  071546Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  SRPP-00  EAP-00 
      EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  UTED-00  FDRE-01  TEDE-00  INR-00 
      IO-00    NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   SEC-01   TEST-00  FMP-00 
      R-00     PRM-00   SAS-00     /004W 
                  ------------------050349  071742Z /38 
P 071435Z NOV 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6829 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
NSC WASHDC 
USDA FAS WASHDC 2408 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
AMEMBASSY 
 BAMAKO 0186 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAKAR 
 
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USEU BRUSSELS 2937 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID-HA 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05454  02 OF 10  071546Z 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AND KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
COORDINATOR (SEC) IN THE U.S. MISSION/ROME R. DAVIS 
AND B. KRAHAM, USAID/DCHA/FOOD FOR PEACE OFFICER 
(FFPO), TRAVELED TO LIBERIA AND GUINEA TO REVIEW THE 
FOOD SECURITY SITUATION FOR REFUGEES, INTERNALLY 
DISPLACED PERSONS (IDPS), AND RESIDENTS WHOSE 
COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY INFLUXES OF EITHER 
GROUP.  THE TEAM ALSO VISITED WFP'S WEST AFRICA 
REGIONAL OFFICE IN DAKAR TO REPORT ON ITS FINDINGS. 
FOR THE TRAVEL TO THE FOREST REGION, THE TEAM WAS 
JOINED BY SHARON ISRALOW FROM USAID/AFR/SD AND BY 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  02 OF 10  071546Z 
PATRICIA RAINEY, USAID/GUINEA. 
 
¶5.  IN GUINEA SEPTEMBER 30 AND OCTOBER 4-8, TH 
E TEAM 
MET WITH WFP AND OTHER U.N. AGENCIES, THE EUROPEAN 
COMMUNITY HUMANITARIAN OFFICE (ECHO), NON- 
GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOS), AND VISITED 
LIBERIAN AND SIERRA LEONEAN REFUGEE CAMPS AND 
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF GUINEA (GRG) OFFICIALS 
IN N'ZEREKORE AND KISSIDOUGOU PREFECTURES. 
 
-------------------------------------- 
THE EXPANDING KOUANKAN REFUGEE CAMP 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  THE KOUANKAN REFUGEE CAMP, LOCATED IN N'ZEREKORE 
PREFECTURE, WAS CREATED FOR 20,000 PERSONS AND IS 
CURRENTLY EXCEEDING ITS CAPACITY BY 14,000.  THE 
POPULATION SIZE BEGAN EXPANDING FROM 13,500 LAST 
SPRING WHEN LIBERIANS STARTED CROSSING THE GUINEA 
BORDER IN LARGE NUMBERS.  IN AUGUST, UNEASE MOUNTED 
ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE REFUGEES, WITH STRONG 
SUSPICIONS THAT INCREASING NUMBERS OF THE REBEL 
MOVEMENT LIBERIA UNITED FOR RECONCILIATION AND 
DEMOCRACY (LURD) WERE PRESENT IN THE CAMP.  WFP 
RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THIS, AS IT WAS FAIRLY CERTAIN 
THAT LURD OR AT A MINIMUM, LURD FAMILIES, WERE 
RECEIVING WFP FOOD.  ON AUGUST 22, THE U.N. 
HUMANITARIAN CONTACT GROUP MET IN CONAKRY TO DISCUSS 
MANAGEMENT OF THE NEW INFLUX INTO KOUANKAN, AS WELL 
AS THE REFUGEES' SECURITY.  THE GROUP DECIDED THE 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  02 OF 10  071546Z 
REFUGEES SHOULD BE RELOCATED FURTHER FROM THE BORDER 
TO THE ALBADARIAH AREA.  SINCE MANY OF THE SIERRA 
LEONEAN REFUGEES HAVE LEFT THE CAMPS IN ALBADARIAH, 
THE TRANSFERRED LIBERIAN REFUGEES COULD GO INTO THE 
SPACES VACATED BY THE SIERRA LEONEANS. 
 
¶7.  THE TRANSFER WOULD ALSO SERVE TO SEPARATE OUT THE 
COMBATANTS, AS IT IS UNLIKELY THEY WOULD CHOOSE TO 
MOVE FAR FROM THE BORDER WITH LIBERIA, ALTHOUGH 
SECURITY CONCERNS SHOULD NOT BE DISMISSED.  ANY 
REFUGEES CHOOSING NOT TO MOVE WOULD NO LONGER QUALIFY 
FOR INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE. 
 
¶8.  EVEN THOUGH THIS DECISION WAS TAKEN ON AUGUST 22, 
THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION HAS BEEN SLOW- 
GOING.  UNHCR HAS DISTRIBUTED A TIMELINE FOR THE 
TRANSFER THAT BEGINS MID-NOVEMBER, BUT ITS 
IMPLEMENTATION IS DEPENDENT UPON FUNDING, WHICH UNHCR 
CALCULATES TO BE 5.6 MILLION USD.  (COMMENT:  A PRICE 
TAG OF 5.6 MILLION USD IS OUTRAGEOUS FOR THE PROPOSED 
OPERATION AND DONORS SHOULD BE VOCAL ABOUT SAYING SO. 
THE TRANSFER CAN BE DONE EFFICIENTLY AND SAFELY FOR 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6716 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05454  03 OF 10  071546Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  SRPP-00  EAP-00 
      EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  UTED-00  FDRE-01  TEDE-00  INR-00 
      IO-00    NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   TEST-00  FMP-00   PRM-00 
      SAS-00     /003W 
                  ------------------050350  071742Z /38 
P 071435Z NOV 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6830 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
NSC WASHDC 
USDA FAS WASHDC 2409 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAKAR 
 
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USEU BRUSSELS 2938 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05454  03 OF 10  071546Z 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID-HA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AND KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
MUCH LESS.  END COMMENT.) 
 
¶9.  THE OTHER STICKING POINT IS THAT THE GRG HAS NOT 
YET PROVIDED ITS WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION FOR THE 
TRANSFER, EVEN THOUGH VERBALLY IT HAS SIGNED OFF.  IN 
THE MEANTIME, MANY ARE WORRIED THAT WITH THE START OF 
THE DRY SEASON, FIGHTING WILL RESUME IN LIBERIA AND 
THE LURD PRESENCE IN KOUANKAN MAY INCREASE. 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  03 OF 10  071546Z 
¶10.  NGOS AND ECHO HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT 
RELOCATION MODALITIES AS DEVELOPED BY UNHCR.  WFP 
PREFERS TO PROCEED IMMEDIATELY WITH A SIMPLE LOW-KEY 
RELOCATION OF THE REFUGEES WHO ARRIVED SINCE APRIL 
(ABOU 
T 15,000).  THEY ARE OF A DIFFERENT ETHNIC GROUP 
AND ARE REPORTEDLY OFTEN ABUSED AND HARASSED BY THE 
OLDER CASELOAD.  SUCH AN INITIAL TRANSFER WOULD 
IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY AT KOUANKAN CAMP. 
THE NGOS AND ECHO SUPPORT THIS APPROACH.  ONCE THE 
FIRST PHASE IS COMPLETED, KOUANKAN COULD BE 
REASSESSED AND THE SECOND PHASE, I.E. RELOCATION OF 
THE OLD CASELOAD, COULD PROCEED WITH THE AIM OF 
STOPPING ASSISTANCE BY END OF MARCH IN KOUANKAN.  WFP 
INTENDS TO PRESENT THIS OPTION AGAIN TO THE U.N. 
HUMANITARIAN CONTACT GROUP IN THE COMING DAYS. 
 
¶11.  MEANWHILE, THE WFP COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE, GEMMO 
LODESANI, HAS PRELIMINARILY SAID THAT WFP WILL STOP 
DISTRIBUTING FOOD IN KOUANKAN AS OF JANUARY 1, 2003, 
IF THE TRANSFER IS NOT UNDERWAY.  WFP FEELS THE 
TRANSFER IS URGENT, AS IT FEARS THAT VIOLENCE COULD 
SOON BREAK OUT IN THE CAMP. 
 
-------------------- 
VERIFYING NUMBERS 
-------------------- 
 
¶12.  UNHCR CONDUCTED A VERIFICATION EXERCISE IN 
AUGUST TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES IN 
KOUANKAN, AS THE FIGURE OF CAMP INHABITANTS HAD RISEN 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  03 OF 10  071546Z 
TO 33,532.  WHEN UNHCR ANNOUNCED IT WAS GOING TO 
CONDUCT A VERIFICATION EXERCISE, THE REFUGEES 
COMPLAINED AND SAID THEY NEEDED TEN DAY'S TIME TO 
PREPARE, AS SOME REFUGEES WERE ABSENT FROM THE CAMP 
ON VACATION.  UNHCR WAITED THE REQUESTED TIME AND 
CONDUCTED THE VERIFICATION AT THE END OF AUGUST, 
APPLYING PLASTIC WRIST BANDS TO THE HEADS OF 
HOUSEHOLD, BUT FAMILY MEMBERS WERE NOT REQUIRED TO 
APPEAR.  THIS EXERCISE YIELDED A NEW COUNT OF 28,715. 
 
¶13.  BECAUSE UNHCR REALIZED THERE HAD BEEN PROBLEMS 
WITH THE VERIFICATION, IT DECIDED TO REPEAT THE 
VERIFICATION.  THE RE-VERIFICATION, WHICH ULTIMATELY 
TOOK OVER TWO WEEKS TO COMPLETE, WAS ONGOING DURING 
THE USAID TEAM'S VISIT ON OCTOBER 5.  THE RE- 
VERIFICATION REQUIRED THOSE WITH BRACELETS TO PRESENT 
ALL FAMILY MEMBERS.  EVEN SO, THERE WERE REPORTS OF 
FAMILIES RENTING CHILDREN.  THE RE-VERIFICATION 
YIELDED A REFUGEE POPULATION OF 34,000, WHICH CALLS 
INTO QUESTION THE ACCURACY OF THE RE-VERIFICATION. 
 
¶14.  THE ORIGINAL PART OF KOUANKAN (WHICH CONSISTS OF 
13,500 PERSONS) IS 90 PERCENT MANDINGO ETHNIC GROUP. 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6719 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05454  04 OF 10  071547Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  SRPP-00  EAP-00 
      EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  UTED-00  FDRE-01  TEDE-00  INR-00 
      IO-00    NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   TEST-00  FMP-00   PRM-00 
      SAS-00     /003W 
                  ------------------050358  071742Z /38 
P 071435Z NOV 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6831 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
NSC WASHDC 
USDA FAS WASHDC 2410 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 
 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAKAR 
 
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USEU BRUSSELS 2939 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05454  04 OF 10  071547Z 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID-HA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AN 
D KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
TO ACCOMMODATE THE RECENT GROWTH TO THE CAMP, THREE 
ADDITIONAL "ANNEXES" HAVE BEEN ADDED, THE NEWEST 
BEING ZONE 12 OR MEDINA, ERECTED BY MEDECINS SANS 
FRONTIERES (MSF).  ZONE 12 IS COMPOSED OF PRIMARILY 
THE TOMA ETHNIC GROUP. 
 
¶15.  MSF ESTIMATES THERE ARE ABOUT 6,000 REALLY 
VULNERABLE AMONG THE ENTIRE KOUANKAN POPULATION AND 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  04 OF 10  071547Z 
ABOUT 5,000-10,000 WHO WOULD HAPPILY MOVE, AS THEY 
FEEL UNDER THREAT. 
 
¶16.  IT WAS CLEAR TO THE USAID TEAM ON OCTOBER 5 THAT 
THE MORE RECENT ARRIVALS WERE THE LAST TO BE RE- 
VERIFIED AND RECEIVE THE PERMANENT RATION CARD WHEN 
THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE PRIORITY SINCE THEY ARE THE 
MOST VULNERABLE.  THE TEAM HEARD NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF 
REFUGEES BEING PULLED OUT OF THE RE-VERIFICATION LINE 
BECAUSE THEY WERE ABLE TO BRIBE THEIR WAY TO THE 
FRONT OF THE LINE.  OTHERS TOLD HOW THEY HAD GONE 
EVERY DAY TO STAND IN LINE, AND MORE THAN TEN DAYS 
LATER STILL HAD NOT REACHED THE FRONT OF THE LINE. 
(NOTE:  THE TEAM WAS ALSO TOLD VERY CLEARLY BY 
REFUGEES THAT LURD ELEMENTS ARE DRIVING INTO THE CAMP 
AND FORCEFULLY RECRUITING MEN FROM THE CAMP.  END 
NOTE.) 
 
¶17.  THE UNHCR INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION OFFICER HAD 
BEEN EVACUATED FOR MEDICAL REASONS ONE WEEK BEFORE 
THE TEAM'S VISIT AND WAS DUE BACK IN A FEW DAYS.  THE 
NATIONAL PROTECTION OFFICER WAS LEFT IN CHARGE.  A 
UNHCR REGISTRATION OFFICER FROM UNHCR HEADQUARTERS 
ARRIVED IN AUGUST FOR THE INITIAL EXERCISE AND STAYED 
FOR THE RE-VERIFICATION, BUT THE NUMBER OF UNHCR 
OFFICIALS OVERSEEING THE PROCESS WAS INADEQUATE.  IN 
ADDITION, A MIXED TEAM OF GENDARMES, POLICE AND 
VOLUNTEERS (UNPAID MILITARY STAFF, GREATLY LACKING 
PROFESSIONALISM), TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 30, OVERSAW 
THE RE-VERIFICATION PROCESS AND PROVIDES SECURITY TO 
THE CAMP. 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  04 OF 10  071547Z 
 
----------------------------------------- 
THE PICTURESQUE NEW LAINE REFUGEE CAMP 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶18.  IT WAS CLEAR LAST SPRING THAT ANOTHER CAMP WAS 
NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE THE INCREASING NUMBERS OF 
LIBERIAN REFUGEES.  UNHCR RECEIVED AUTHORIZATION TO 
OPEN A NEW CAMP IN MAY, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE 
CREATION OF LAINE CAMP WAS THREE MONTHS IN THE 
MAKING.  LOCATED ABOUT 100 KILOMETERS NORTH OF YOMOU 
IN N'ZEREKORE PREFECTURE, THE CAMP FINALLY OPENED IN 
SEPTEMBER, WITH A CAPACITY FOR 6,000.  UNHCR BEGAN 
TRANSFERRING REFUGEES FROM THE NONAH TRANSIT CENTER 
(POPULATION OF 5,276 AS OF LATE AUGUST) IN LATE 
SEPTEMBER AND ALSO STARTED MOVING REFUGEES FROM THE 
BORDER TOWNS OF SIDEMAI, DOPOMAI, OREMAI, DIEKE, 
BOSSOU, AND OTHERS TO LAINE.  ALREADY THE CAMP IS 
NEARING ITS CAPACITY, BUT THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF 
ENLARGING IT. 
 
¶19.  WHEN THE REFUGEES ARRIVE, WFP, THROUGH ITS 
PARTNER OCPH, (ORGANIZATION CATHOLIQUE POUR LA 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6721 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05454  05 OF 10  071547Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  SRPP-00  EAP-00 
      EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  UTED-00  FDRE-01  TEDE-00  INR-00 
      IO-00    NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   TEST-00  FMP-00   PRM-00 
      SAS-00     /003W 
                  ------------------05035D  071743Z /38 
P 071435Z NOV 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6832 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
NSC WASHDC 
USDA FAS WASHDC 2411 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAKAR 
 
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USEU BRUSSELS 2940 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05454  05 OF 10  071547Z 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID-HA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AND KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
PROMOTION HUMAINE) PROVIDES HOT MEALS FOR THE FIRST 
TWO DAYS IN THE CAMP.  THE REFUGEES ARE THEN PROVIDED 
DRY RATIONS (2,100 KILO-CALORIES) FROM WFP AND OCPH. 
MSF MAINTAINS A SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING CENTER (SFC) IN 
THE CAMP FOR MODERATELY MALNOURISHED CHILDREN.  ANY 
SEVERE CASES OF MALNUTRITION ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE 
HOSPITAL IN N'ZEREKORE. 
 
¶20.  IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT THE FUTURE OF NONAH 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  05 OF 10  071547Z 
TRANSIT CENTER IS UNCLEAR.  THERE ARE RUMORS THAT THE 
GRG WANTS TO CLOSE THE TRANSIT CENTER.  THE 
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY NEEDS TO WORK WITH THE GRG TO 
ENSURE THAT NONAH REMAINS OPEN AS A TRANSIT POINT FOR 
INCOMING REFUGEES.  IT IS STRATEGICALLY LOCATED WITH 
ALL THE NECESSARY STRUCTURES-AND THE NEED FOR IT 
PERSISTS AS LIBERIANS CONTINUE TO CROSS INTO GUINEA. 
 
-------------------------- 
A STREAM RUNS THROUGH IT 
-------------------------- 
 
¶21.  THE USAID TEAM WAS TRULY IMPRESSED WITH THE 
PICTURESQUE PASTORAL SETTING OF LAINE.  WHEN CAMPS 
ARE BUILT, THE LAND IS USUALLY CLEARED OF ALMOST ALL 
TREES.  BY CONTRAST, THE STRUCTURES OF LAINE HAVE 
BEEN BUILT AMONG THE MANY TREES AND THERE IS EVEN A 
LOVELY WOODEN BRIDGE THAT WAS CONSTRUCTED OVER A 
STREAM THAT RUNS THROUGH THE CAMP.  LAUNDRY 
FACILITIES WERE BUILT AT THE STREAM.  RE-FORESTATION 
EFFORTS WERE ALREADY UNDERWAY, EVEN THOUGH THE 
REFUGEES WERE STILL LIVING IN 50-PERSON HANGERS.  GTZ 
WAS WAITING REGISTRATION LISTS FROM UNHCR BEFORE 
PROVIDING SHELTER KITS TO THE REFUGEES.  ABSENT THE 
PLASTIC SHEETING, THE CAMP COULD HAVE BEEN MISTAKEN 
FOR A GAME PARK RESORT. 
 
¶22.  THE GOVERNOR OF N'ZEREKORE TOLD THE USAID TEAM 
THAT THE LOCAL POPULATION AROUND LAINE WAS FRIENDLY 
TOWARDS THE REFUGEES. 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  05 OF 10  071547Z 
----------------------------------------- 
OTHER OUTSTANDING ISSUES IN N'ZEREKORE 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶23.  IN ADDITION TO THE NEED TO TRANSFER THE REFUGEES 
FROM KOUANKAN TO ALBADARIAH, TWO OTHER ISSUES THAT 
NEED ATTENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 
 
¶A.  FOR THOSE REFUGEES WHO CHOOSE NOT TO MOVE FROM 
THE BORDER AREAS, UNHCR AND THE GRG NEED TO MAKE A 
POLICY DECISION ABOUT HOW THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE 
TREATED. 
 
¶B.  A THIRD RECEPTION CENTER IN THE EASTERN PART OF 
N'ZEREKORE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.  NONAH (SOUTH) AND 
TEKOULO (WEST) SERVE AS RECEPTION AREAS IN N'ZEREKORE 
AND KISSIDOUGOU, RESPECTIVELY.  HOWEVER, FOR THOSE 
CROSSING FROM LIBERIA OR COTE D'IVOIRE INTO EASTERN 
PARTS OF N'ZEREKORE, THERE IS NO CENTER. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
THE ALBADARIAH CAMPS IN KISSIDOUGOU PREFECTURE 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6723 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05454  06 OF 10  071547Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  SRPP-00  EAP-00 
      EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  UTED-00  FDRE-01  TEDE-00  INR-00 
      IO-00    NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   TEST-00  FMP-00   PRM-00 
      SAS-00     /003W 
                  ------------------050367  071743Z /38 
P 071435Z NOV 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6833 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
NSC WASHDC 
USDA FAS WASHDC 2412 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAKAR 
 
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USEU BRUSSELS 2941 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05454  06 OF 10  071547Z 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID-HA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 06 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AND KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶24.  AFTER THE RE-LOCATION OF THE SIERRA LEONEAN 
REFUGEES FROM THE PARROT'S BEAK (THE LANGUETTE) IN 
THE SPRING OF 2001, THE REFUGEE POPULATION TOTALED 
APPROXIMATELY 51,000.  UNHCR REPORTS THAT ABOUT 
19,000 HAVE RETURNED TO SIERRA LEONE, AND THE CURRENT 
POPULATION IN THE THREE CAMPS OF ALBADARIAH (BOREAH, 
KOUNTAYA, TELIKORO)IS AROUND 41,000, WITH ABOUT 92 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  06 OF 10  071547Z 
PERCENT SIERRA LEONEAN AND 8 PERCENT LIBERIAN. 
APPROXIMATELY 1,800 LIBERIAN REFUGEES ARE LIVING IN 
ONE OF THE THREE CAMPS. 
 
¶25.  USAID TEAM VISITED BOREAH CAMP (ABOUT 10,500 
REFUGEES) ON OCTOBER 6, AND WFP HAD JUST COMPLETED 
ITS MONTHLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION (SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 
5).  REFUGEES RECEIVE A DAILY FOOD RATION OF 2,100 
KC.  PREMIERE URGENCE, A FRENCH NGO, IS WFP'S 
IMPLEMENTING PARTNER IN ALBADARIAH.  VARIOUS REFUGEES 
TOLD THE USAID TEAM THEY HAD IMMEDIATELY SOLD OR 
TRADED THEIR RATION OF VEGETABLE OIL FOR KEROSENE OIL 
(FOR LAMPS) OR FOR PALM OIL.  ONE REFUGEE SAID SHE 
GOT 5,000 GUINEAN FRANCS FOR 4 LITERS OF VEGETABLE 
OIL AND BOUGHT ONE LITER OF PALM OIL FOR 1,000 
GUINEAN FRANCS.  (PLEASE SEE PARAS BELOW REGARDING 
SELF-RELIANCE.) 
 
¶26.  WFP FEELS A VERIFICATION OF THE REFUGEES IN THE 
ALBADARIAH CAMPS IS NEEDED AND IS HOPING THAT UNHCR 
WILL SOON AGREE TO CONDUCT SUCH AN EXERCISE.  SOME 
REPATRIATING REFUGEES ARE SELLING THEIR CARDS TO 
LOCALS. 
 
¶27.  THE USAID TEAM ASKED VARIOUS PEOPLE, INCLUDING 
REFUGEES, ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MOVING A 
SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF LIBERIAN REFUGEES TO THE CAMPS 
(FROM KOUANKAN).  THE CONSISTENT RESPONSE WAS "NO 
PROBLEM." 
 
------------------------------ 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  06 OF 10  071547Z 
RICE, RICE, RICE EVERYWHERE 
------------------------------ 
 
¶28.  A YEAR AGO STATE/BUREAU OF POPULATION, REFUGEES, 
AND MIGRATION (PRM) PROVIDED A GRANT TO THE EMERGENCY 
UNIT OF THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION OF THE 
U.N. (FAO/TCE) TO RE-FOREST THREE OF THE OLD CAMPS 
THAT WERE VACATED AFTER THE RELOCATION AND TO PROVIDE 
SEEDS AND TOOLS TO THE REFUGEES IN AN EFFORT TO 
INCREASE THEIR SELF-SUFFICIENCY.  SIGNIFICANT 
PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON BOTH FRONTS.  FOUR OF THE 
OLD CAMPS--BOODOU, NYAEDOU, KAT KAMA AND MASSAKOUDOU- 
-HAVE NOW BEEN PARTLY REFORESTED TOTALING 111 
HECTARES (HA) AND FAO DISTRIBUTED SEEDS AND TOOLS TO 
10,339 HOUSEHOLDS IN CAMPS AND IN SURROUNDING 
VILLAGES. 
 
¶29.  THE USAID TEAM IS VERY PLEASED TO REPORT THAT 
THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AROUND THE ALBADARIAH 
CAMPS IS TRULY REMARKABLE.  THE TEAM WITNESSED 
BEAUTIFUL GREEN FIELDS OF RICE NEARING THEIR HARVEST. 
IN TOTAL, 7,472 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE ALBADARIAH CAMPS 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6725 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05454  07 OF 10  071548Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  SRPP-00  EAP-00 
      EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  UTED-00  FDRE-01  TEDE-00  INR-00 
      IO-00    NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   TEST-00  FMP-00   PRM-00 
      SAS-00     /003W 
                  ------------------05036C  071743Z /38 
P 071435Z NOV 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6834 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
NSC WASHDC 
USDA FAS WASHDC 2413 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAKAR 
 
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USEU BRUSSELS 2942 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05454  07 OF 10  071548Z 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID-HA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 07 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AND KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
AND ENVIRONS WERE GIVEN MAIZE, RICE, AND GROUNDNUT 
SEEDS, WITH FAO ASSISTING 5,400 OF THE 7,472.  THE 
REMAINDER WAS ASSISTED BY THE NGOS:  ACTION CONTRE LA 
FAIM, CONCERN, AND BMZ.  ABOUT 1,900 HA AROUND THE 
ALBADARIAH CAMPS WERE PLANTED.  IN ADDITION TO THIS, 
FAO PROVIDED 3,900 HOUSEHOLDS IN KOLA AND KOUANKAN 
CAMPS (LIBER 
IAN REFUGEES) AND 1,039 HOUSEHOLDS IN 
SEMBAKOUNYA CAMP (SIERRA LEONEAN REFUGEES) WITH SEEDS 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  07 OF 10  071548Z 
AND TOOLS.  IN EACH CASE, THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS 
INCLUDES VULNERABLES IN THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES. 
 
¶30.  CRITERIA FOR RECEIPT OF SEEDS WAS ONE OR MORE OF 
THE FOLLOWING:  WILLINGNESS TO CULTIVATE; EXPERIENCE 
IN AGRICULTURE; FEMALE-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS; VERY LARGE 
HOUSEHOLDS (10 PERSONS OR MORE), AND A WILLINGNESS TO 
WORK WITH TECHNICAL EXPERTS.  FAO SAID IT EXPECTED 
THE UPLAND AREAS TO YIELD APPROXIMATELY 650 TO 800 
KILOGRAMS (KG) RICE PER HA; THE IRRIGATED AREAS TO 
YIELD 1,200 TO 1,500 KG PER HA, AND THE LOWLAND AREAS 
TO YIELD 900 TO 1,200 KG PER HA, AS THE LOW AREAS DID 
NOT USE FERTILIZERS.  THE REFUGEES HAD ALREADY HELD 
DISCUSSIONS WITH FAO AND WFP ABOUT SELLING THEM RICE 
TO USE AS SEEDS AND FOOD, RESPECTIVELY. 
 
¶31.  IT WAS EXPECTED THAT WELL OVER 50 PERCENT OF THE 
SIERRA LEONEAN REFUGEES WILL RETURN HOME AFTER THE 
HARVEST, HOWEVER UNHCR/GUINEA HAS JUST HALTED THE 
ORGANIZED REPATRIATION OF REFUGEES DUE TO THE 
UNHCR/SIERRA LEONE FUNDING CRISIS.  THIS COULD LOWER 
THE RATE OF RETURN.  UNHCR/GUINEA TOLD THE USAID TEAM 
IT HAD PROMISED TO ASSIST THE REFUGEES IN 
TRANSPORTING THEIR HARVEST BACK TO SIERRA LEONE. 
(COMMENT:  WITH THE CURRENT FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS UNHCR 
IS EXPERIENCING, IT IS DOUBTFUL WHETHER UNHCR/GUINEA 
WILL BE ABLE TO FULFILL THIS PROMISE.  END COMMENT.) 
 
¶32.  EVEN THOUGH ALL AGREE THAT RICE PRODUCTION WILL 
BE QUITE NOTABLE THIS AGRICULTURAL SEASON, FAO/TCE 
CAUTIONS THAT WITH THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES MOVING 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  07 OF 10  071548Z 
HOME, MOVING TO OTHER CAMPS, AND NEW REFUGEES 
ENTERING GUINEA, CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO 
CONTINUED FUNDING FOR ANOTHER AGRICULTURAL SEASON TO 
FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE GREAT STRIDES ALREADY MADE 
TOWARDS ACHIEVING SELF-RELIANCE.  THE USAID TEAM 
AGREES. 
 
------------------------------------- 
POST-DISTRIBUTION MONITORING (PDM) 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶33.  ACTION CONTRE LA FAIM (ACF) IS CONDUCTING PDM ON 
A MONTHLY BASIS IN THE ALBADARIAH CAMPS, AND ISSUING 
SUBSTANTIVE REPORTS.  THIS INFORMATION NEEDS TO BE 
FOLDED INTO THE WORK BEING DONE ON SELF-RELIANCE (SEE 
PARAS 35 AND 36 BELOW). 
 
¶34.  THE USAID TEAM LEARNED THAT PDM EFFORTS IN THE 
CAMPS IN N'ZEREKORE WERE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. 
ACTION CHURCHES TOGETHER (ACT) IN COLLABORATION WITH 
LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION (LWF), WHICH IS THE NGO 
ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK, WAS AWARDED THE PDM 
RESPONSIBILITY BY UNHCR LAST SUMMER.  LWF SAID AT THE 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6728 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05454  08 OF 10  071548Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  SRPP-00  EAP-00 
      EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  UTED-00  FDRE-01  TEDE-00  INR-00 
      IO-00    NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   TEST-00  FMP-00   PRM-00 
      SAS-00     /003W 
                  ------------------050374  071743Z /38 
P 071435Z NOV 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6835 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
NSC WASHDC 
USDA FAS WASHDC 2414 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAKAR 
 
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USEU BRUSSELS 2943 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05454  08 OF 10  071548Z 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID-HA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 08 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AND KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
TIME OF THE AWARD THAT IT DID NOT HAVE EXPERTISE IN 
THIS AREA BUT WAS WILLING TO BE TRAINED.  AFTER 
READING TWO OF LWF'S REPORTS, THE UNHCR NUTRITIONIST 
IS REPORTEDLY UNHAPPY WITH LWF'S WORK, AS IS WFP. 
THE TEAM WAS QUITE DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT PDM HAD 
NOT YET TRULY BEGUN IN THE N'ZEREKORE CAMPS, 
ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE PROBLEMS AS OUTLINED ABOVE 
IN THESE CAMPS.  THE TEAM HAS ASKED UNHCR AND WFP TO 
COME TO CLOSURE ON THIS ISSUE.  EITHER LWF NEEDS TO 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  08 OF 10  071548Z 
BE TRAINED POST-HASTE OR A NEW PARTNER NEEDS TO BE 
GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY. 
 
---------------- 
SELF-RELIANCE 
---------------- 
 
¶35.  AS A RESULT OF THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION PROBLEMS, 
WFP IN CONJUNCTION WITH UNHCR, HAS BEEN WORKING 
TOWARDS DEVELOPING SELF-RELIANCE STRATEGIES FOR THE 
REFUGEES SO THAT THEY ARE LESS DEPENDENT ON FOOD 
DISTRIBUTIONS.  SUCH STRATEGIES WOULD INCLUDE FOOD- 
FOR-WORK, FOOD-FOR-TRAINING, AND INCOME GENERATING 
ACTIVITIES AND WOULD TARGET THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE 
SOCIO-ECONOMIC STRUCTURE AMONG THE REFUGEES, AS WELL 
AS THE LOCAL POPULATION.  WFP/GUINEA ALSO PLANS TO 
TARGET A SIMILAR NUMBER OF FOOD INSECURE IDP/RETURNEE 
HOUSEHOLDS IN INSECURE AREAS IN THE LANGUETTE AND 
MACENTA. 
 
¶36.  TO THIS END, WFP AND FAO WILL SOON BEGIN A FOOD 
SECURITY SURVEY (FUNDED BY THE EC) OF THE LIBERIAN 
AND SIERRA LEONEAN REFUGEE POPULATIONS AND 
SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES TO GAIN A BETTER 
UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR CURRENT COPING MECHANISMS.  IT 
IS THE USAID TEAM'S HOPE THAT THE RESULTS OF THIS 
STUDY WILL LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN THE RATION, AS IT 
IS EVIDENT BY THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION THAT AFTER 
THE HARVEST CERTAIN REFUGEES WOULD NO LONGER NEED TO 
BE SOLELY RELIANT ON THE WFP FOOD RATION. 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  08 OF 10  071548Z 
¶37.  IT WAS AGREED DURING THE WFP JOINT FOOD NEEDS 
MISSION (JNFAM) IN JUNE THAT SCHOOL FEEDING WOULD BE 
INTRODUCED IN THE REFUGEE CAMPS, BUT THAT IT WOULD BE 
ACCOMPANIED BY A REDUCTION IN THE GENERAL RATION. 
SCHOOL FEEDING HAS NOT YET BEGUN, AS WFP CHOSE TO 
WAIT FOR THE RESULTS OF THIS STUDY, WHICH IT HAD 
ORIGINALLY ANTICIPATED BEING FINISHED BY NOVEMBER 
¶2002.  UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS BEEN SLOW GETTING 
STARTED AND IS JUST NOW BEGINNING. 
 
------------------------------------------ 
VULNERABILITY ANALYSIS AND MAPPING (VAM) 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶38.  LAST SPRING, USAID/DCHA/OFDA PROVIDED 150,000 
USD TO WFP/GUINEA FOR VAM WORK.  APPROXIMATELY 82,000 
PEOPLE REMAINED DISPLACED IN GUINEA, WITH ABOUT 
58,000 LIVING IN AREAS WHERE WFP IS WORKING.  WFP'S 
VAM WORK IS MEANT TO IDENTIFY MORE ACCURATELY THE 
MOST VULNERABLE IDPS AND HOST FAMILIES.  WFP FOUND 
THERE TO BE A LACK OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AMONG THE 
PARTNERS IN CONAKRY, AS MOST NGOS ARE BASED IN THE 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6730 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05454  09 OF 10  071548Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  SRPP-00  EAP-00 
      EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  UTED-00  FDRE-01  TEDE-00  INR-00 
      IO-00    NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   TEST-00  FMP-00   PRM-00 
      SAS-00     /003W 
                  ------------------05037C  071743Z /38 
P 071435Z NOV 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6836 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
NSC WASHDC 
USDA FAS WASHDC 2415 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAKAR 
 
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USEU BRUSSELS 2944 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05454  09 OF 10  071548Z 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID-HA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 09 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AND KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
FOREST REGION AND ARE MORE FOCUSED ON REFUGEES THAN 
THE LOCALS.  ALTERING ITS APPROACH, WFP IS HOLDING A 
NATIONAL WORKSHOP WITH SELECTED PARTICIPANTS IN 
NOVEMBER WHICH WOULD LAY OUT PRELIMINARY ZONING OF 
THE COUNTRY BY REGIONAL FOOD ECONOMIES AND 
LIVELIHOODS, AND THE ACTUAL VAM WORK WOULD BEGIN IN 
JANUARY.  AS STATED IN REF TEL, IT IS HOPED BY THE 
USAID TEAM THAT THE THREE COUNTRIES UNDER WFP'S PRRO 
CAN ADOPT THE SAME METHODOLOGIES SO THAT A REGIONAL 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  09 OF 10  071548Z 
VAM APPROACH FOR WEST AFRICA CAN BE DEVELOPED. 
 
-------------------------------- 
WFP WEST AFRICA REGIONAL PLANE 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶39.  LAST FISCAL YEAR, STATE/PRM AND USAID/DCHA/OFDA 
EACH PROVIDED FUNDS (400,000 AND 225,000 USD 
RESPECTIVELY) TO WFP'S SPECIAL OPERATION (SO) FOR 
PASSENGER AIRCRAFT SERVICE IN GUINEA, SIERRA LEONE, 
AND LIBERIA.  THE IRISH AND SWISS ALSO CONTRIBUTED. 
THE COST FOR THE FIRST YEAR WAS 1.2 MILLION USD 
(10/07/01-10/06/02).  THE NEW SO, WHICH SPANS ANOTHER 
YEAR, BEGAN ON OCTOBER 7, 2002 AND ALSO REQUESTS 1.2 
MILLION USD.  WFP REPORTS THAT THE CURRENT FUNDING 
FOR THE SO WILL SUPPORT THE AIR OPERATION ONLY 
THROUGH MID-DECEMBER.  IF NO OTHER FUNDING IS 
PROVIDED, WFP WILL BE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN THE 
OPERATION. 
 
¶40.  THE PLANE FLIES INTERNALLY TO SITES IN GUINEA 
FOUR DAYS A WEEK AND ONCE A WEEK MAKES A REGIONAL 
ROTATION TO THE THREE COUNTRIES.  ON TUESDAY, 
NOVEMBER 5, WFP ADDED FLIGHTS TO COTE D'IVOIRE, 
SERVICING ABIDJAN AND YAMOUSOUKRO, WITH THE HOPE OF 
SOON ADDING BOUAKE. WITH THE DISCONTINUANCE OF THE 
WFP HELICOPTER IN SIERRA LEONE, WFP IS ALSO 
CONTEMPLATING THE POSSIBILITY OF THE PLANE MAKING 
INTERNAL FLIGHTS IN SIERRA LEONE ONCE OR TWICE A 
WEEK. 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  09 OF 10  071548Z 
¶41.  ALTHOUGH THE SO IS PRIMARILY MEANT TO PROVIDE 
PASSENGER SERVICE, IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR 
TRANSPORTING COMMODITIES, IF NECESSARY.  WITHOUT 
DISRUPTING ITS NORMAL SCHEDULE, WFP AIRLIFTED FOUR 
METRIC TONS OF HIGH-PROTEIN BISCUITS FROM STOCKS IN 
CONAKRY TO OUAGADOUGOU IN EARLY OCTOBER TO BE USED 
FOR THE COTE D'IVOIRE CRISIS. 
 
¶42.  FOR THESE REASONS, IT WOULD BE UNFORTUNATE IF 
WFP WERE TO HAVE TO CLOSE DOWN THE OPERATION AT SUCH 
A TENUOUS TIME. 
 
------------------ 
RECOMMENDATIONS 
------------------ 
 
¶43.  RECOMMENDATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS: 
 
--  THE TRANSFER OF REFUGEES FROM KOUANKAN CAMP IS 
URGENT AND NEEDS TO COMMENCE BEFORE THE END OF THE 
MONTH.  GRG WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION IS NEEDED AND A 
MORE ECONOMICAL METHOD OF TRANSFER MUST BE AGREED 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
                           UNCLASSIFIED     PTQ6733 
 
PAGE 01        ROME  05454  10 OF 10  071548Z 
ACTION AF-00 
 
INFO  LOG-00   NP-00    AID-00   AMAD-00  CIAE-00  SRPP-00  EAP-00 
      EB-00    EUR-00   OIGO-00  UTED-00  FDRE-01  TEDE-00  INR-00 
      IO-00    NSAE-00  OES-00   OIC-02   TEST-00  FMP-00   PRM-00 
      SAS-00     /003W 
                  ------------------050386  071744Z /38 
P 071435Z NOV 02 
FM AMEMBASSY ROME 
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6837 
INFO USMISSION GENEVA 
NSC WASHDC 
USDA FAS WASHDC 2416 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY MONROVIA 
AMEMBASSY ABUJA 
AMEMBASSY BAMAKO 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY DAKAR 
 
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY TOKYO 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
USEU BRUSSELS 2945 
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 02        ROME  05454  10 OF 10  071548Z 
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//ECJ4-ID-HA 
 
UNCLAS SECTION 10 OF 10 ROME 005454 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMEMBASSY ROME 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA 
NSC FOR JDWORKEN 
USAID FOR A, DCHA, OFDA, FFP 
STATE FOR AF, IO, PRM 
USDA FOR FAS/EC/PDD TILLSWORTH AND 
FAS/ICD KRAMER, LEBLANC 
USUN FOR MLUTZ 
NAIROBI FOR REDSO AND OFDA/ARO 
DAKAR FOR FFP NESTES AND KSTURR 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EU WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN EU EAID WFP UN
SUBJECT:  REFUGEE NUMBERS IN GUINEA'S FOREST REGION 
SWELL AS LIBERIA'S BUSH WAR CONTINUES:  A PROGRESS 
REPORT ON THE UN'S RESPONSE 
 
UPON AMONG THOSE INVOLVED.  STATE AND USAID 
ASSISTANCE WOULD BE HELPFUL IN EXPEDITING THIS 
SLOTHFUL PROCESS. 
 
--  FOR THOSE REFUGEES WHO CHOOSE NOT TO MOVE FROM 
THE BORDER AREAS, UNHCR AND THE GRG NEED TO MAKE A 
POLICY DECISION ABOUT HOW THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE 
HANDLED. 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 03        ROME  05454  10 OF 10  071548Z 
--  THE GRG SHOULD BE CONVINCED TO MAINTAIN NONAH AS 
A TRANSIT CAMP, AS THE NEED FOR IT IS STILL VERY 
RELEVANT. 
 
--  A THIRD RECEPTION CENTER IN THE EASTERN PART OF 
N'ZEREKORE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR THOSE CROSSING 
FROM NORTH-CENTRAL LIBERIA OR WESTERN COTE D'IVOIRE 
INTO EASTERN PARTS OF N'ZEREKORE. 
 
--  UNHCR SHOULD BE URGED TO CONDUCT A REGISTRATION 
OF THE REFUGEES IN THE ALBADARIAH CAMPS, AS WFP 
SUSPECTS THE LISTS NEED TO BE CLEANED. 
 
--  IT IS SUGGESTED THAT STATE/PRM CONSIDER PROVIDING 
ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO FAO/TCE TO CONTINUE ITS CURRENT 
ACTIVITIES IN THE CAMPS AND SURROUNDING VILLAGES FOR 
ANOTHER AGRICULTURAL CYCLE.  THE POSITIVE IMPACT 
THESE SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS HAS HAD ON THE LIVELIHOODS 
AND MORALE OF REFUGEES IS EVIDENT AND SHOULD BE 
PROMOTED FURTHER. 
 
--  WFP AND UNHCR NEED TO COME TO IMMEDIATE CLOSURE 
ON THE ISSUE OF PDM IN THE N'ZEREKORE CAMPS.  AFTER 
DRAGGING ON FOR EIGHT MONTHS, ITS COMPETENT 
IMPLEMENTATION IS NOW AN URGENT MATTER. 
 
--  THE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM THE PDM IN THE 
ALBADARIAH CAMPS NEEDS TO BE FOLDED INTO THE VAM AND 
OTHER FOOD SECURITY WORK IN WHICH WFP AND FAO ARE 
ENGAGED.  THE WORK NEEDS TO GET UNDERWAY SO THAT 
ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE BY WFP IN PROGRAMMING AND IN 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
PAGE 04        ROME  05454  10 OF 10  071548Z 
THE RATION SIZE. 
 
--  AS STATED IN REF TEL, WFP IN WEST AFRICA IS URGED 
TO ADOPT A COMMON REGIONAL VAM METHODOLOGY IN THE 
THREE COUNTRIES, AND IT IS SUGGESTED THAT USAID/DCHA 
CONSIDER SUPPORTING SUCH A REGIONAL APPROACH. 
 
--  STATE/PRM AND USAID/OFDA SHOULD SERIOUSLY 
CONSIDER PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE WFP SO 
FOR THE WEST AFRICA PASSENGER AIRCRAFT, AS WITHOUT 
THIS SERVICE, HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS IN THE REGION 
WOULD BE SEVERELY HAMPERED. 
 
¶44.  MINIMIZE CONSIDERED.  HALL 
 
                       UNCLASSIFIED 
 
> 
 2002ROME05454 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED