PM ERDOGAN ASKS POTUS TO RELEASE THREE TURKISH

S E C R E T ANKARA 003732 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/SE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/30/2029 TAGS: MOPS PREL AF TU SUBJECT: PM ERDOGAN ASKS POTUS TO RELEASE THREE TURKISH NATIONALS AT GTMO REF: ANKARA 2544 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Robert Deutsch. Reasons: 1.4 ( B and D). ¶1. (U) This is an action request. See para 3. ¶2. (U) The Turkish press is reporting that PM Erdogan asked President Bush during their June 27 meeting in Ankara to release the three remaining Turkish nationals under detention at GTMO. The President reportedly said he would look into the matter. ¶3. (S) Action request: PM Erdogan did raise the issue with the President. To follow up on this discussion, we request the Department provide us an update on the status of the remaining Turks at GTMO, including an assessment of when/if they can be expected to be released, and the impact of the recent Supreme Court decision on their status. EDELMAN