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

071859Z Feb 06

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 SANTIAGO 000272 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/06/2016 
TAGS: SMIG PREF PREL CI CU GUANTANAMO
SUBJECT: CHILE REAFFIRMS WILLINGNESS TO RESETTLE CUBAN 
MIGRANTS 
 
REF: SANTIAGO 219 
 
Classified By: DCM ELYAMAUCHI FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) 
 
¶1. (C) SUMMARY. Chile reaffirmed its willingness to resettle 
up to 28 protected Cuban migrants currently at Guantanamo in 
a meeting today with visiting PRM Officer and Consul General, 
and will provide the migrants appropriate residence and work 
permits. The Chileans expect to be ready to interview 
migrants at GTMO by the end of February.  The GOC prefers the 
transfer of migrants to be made quietly and without 
publicity. The Chileans asked that the USG provide financial 
support to the migrants for one year to assure their 
successful integration; the PRM Officer indicated a 
willingness to be flexible in addressing Chilean concerns. 
The GOC left open the possibility that additional Cuban 
migrants might be accepted for resettlement if the experience 
with this initial group is a positive one. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (C) Chile reaffirmed its willingness to resettle up to 28 
protected Cuban migrants currently at the Guantanamo Naval 
Base during a meeting today with visiting PRM Senior Advisor 
Robert Gehring and Consul General.  Ambassador Ricardo 
Concha, Director General for Consular Affairs, raised the 
possibility that Chile would be willing to receive additional 
Cuban migrants in the future, if the experience with this 
first group is a positive one.  Carmen Gloria DeNegri, Chief 
of the Foreigner's Department, Ministry of the Interior, 
which is responsible for refugee and resettlement programs in 
Chile, also participated in the meeting. 
 
¶3. (C) Discussion centered around Chilean concerns about the 
ability of the migrants to successfully resettle in Chile. 
The GOC emphasized that it limits its responsibility to 
offering resettlement and providing documentation for the 
migrants to reside and work in Chile, it does not assume 
responsibility for the financial costs or logistics of 
resettlement. The Chileans expressed concern that some 
migrants might not become self-sufficient within the six 
month period of resettlement support offered by the USG, and 
that living costs would exceed the proposed total financial 
assistance of $3,000 per migrant, distributed in monthly 
installments.  While no final time frame or figure was agreed 
upon, Gehring indicated flexibility and a willingness to 
consider providing support for up to one year. He also noted 
that in other resettlement countries, the International 
Organization for Migration and a local NGO often managed the 
logistics of resettlement and the distribution of the monthly 
stipend to the migrants. The Chileans noted the existence of 
a Cuban community in Santiago, numbering about 3,000, that 
would be likely to help out. 
 
¶4. (C) The Chileans were prepared to move quickly.  They wish 
to interview migrants and will inform the Embassy when a 
delegation of two or three Ministry of Interior officials is 
ready to visit GTMO. They hope the visit will take place in 
late February or early March at the latest.  The GOC also 
wishes to exchange diplomatic notes confirming the terms 
under which it will accept these migrants. 
 
¶5. (C) Ms. DeNegri said that Chile will provide migrants one 
year temporary residence and the national ID card (RUT) 
necessary to obtain work and many other services. Migrants 
would have access to any government services available to 
Chileans, such as schools for minor children and basic health 
care. After the initial year, migrants may apply for 
permanent residence, and after five, citizenship.  The GOC 
recognizes its responsibility not to return the migrants to 
Cuba. 
 
¶6. (C) The Chileans indicated that they did not want to 
publicize the resettlement. 
 
¶7. (C) Gehring told the Chileans that the State Department 
would be willing to consider proposals for assistance for 
refugee program capacity building in Chile through one of its 
partners, such as IOM or UNHCR.  He also said the Department 
would also be willing to consider an international visitor 
grant for Chilean refugee officials to learn about US refugee 
resettlement programs. 
 
¶8. (C) In response to a question from the Consul General, 
Ambassador Concha and Ms. DeNegri confirmed that the upcoming 
inauguration of a new government in Chile should not affect 
Chile's willingness to accept these migrants. 
 
¶9. (C) COMMENT. Post will follow-up with the MFA to ensure 
that the momentum developed in today's meeting is not lost. 
We will advise the Department of the proposed dates of the 
Chilean visit to GTMO as soon as they are available.  END 
COMMENT. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KELLY