TURKISH DETAINEES AT GTMO -- MFA REQUESTS

S E C R E T ANKARA 002544 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2014 TAGS: MOPS PREL TU AF SUBJECT: TURKISH DETAINEES AT GTMO -- MFA REQUESTS CONFIRMATION OF NUMBER FOLLOWING FRONT-PAGE STORIES IN TURKISH PAPERS (U) Classified by Pol-Mil Counselor Timothy A. Betts. Reasons: 1.5 (B and D). ¶1. (S) This is an action request. See para 4. ¶2. (S) MFA INR official Emma Beskarbes telephoned Pol-Mil Counselor May 5 to inquire about front-page stories (based on an article that appeared in the Washington Post on May 2) that there are 10 Turkish citizens among the 750 individuals being detained at GTMO. Beskarbes said there were individuals listed in the article as being Turkish citizens that, if true, the MFA did not know were at GTMO. She asked that the Embassy confirm whether the information in the articles was correct and provide the names of the Turkish citizens currently at GTMO. ¶3. (U) The names of the individuals identified as Turkish citizens in the Turkish papers are: --Lutfi Bayifkan --Abdullah Celik --Yuksel Celikgogus --Mustafa Eksi --Murat Kurnaz --Nuri Mert --Ibrahim Sen --Mesut Sen --Salih Uyar --Turgut Uzel ¶4. (S) Action request: It is our understanding that three Turkish nationals have been returned to Turkey and that three remain at GTMO. Embassy requests guidance to respond to the MFA's question regarding the number and names of the Turkish citizens currently at GTMO. EDELMAN