MALDIVES DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER PROMISES TO KEEP

S E C R E T COLOMBO 001275

SIPDIS

NOFORN

STATE FOR SA, SA/INS AND S/WCI LTC MILLER; SECDEF FOR
SO/L9IC ASD O'CONNELL

NSC FOR E. MILLARD

E.O. 12598: DECL: 08/02/14
TAGS: PREL PINS MOPS PHUM PINR MV CE
SUBJECT: MALDIVES DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER PROMISES TO KEEP
CLOSE TABS ON GUANTANAMO DETAINEE, PREVENT TRAVEL

REF: COLOMBO 1196

CLASSIFIED BY AMBASSADOR JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD. REASONS 1.5
B, D.


1. (S/NF) During visit to Maldives for National Day events
July 25-26, Ambassador was able to briefly discuss issue of
Maldivian detainee at Guantanamo with Deputy Foreign
Minister Hussain Shihab. (Foreign Minister was not in
Maldives at the time.) Ambassador told Shihab that we were
looking into the case, but that we still had concerns about
some aspects of the detainee's history. Ambassador also
said that we would need to discuss further with the Maldives
the GORM's statement that it would "monitor" the detainee if
he were returned to Maldives.


2. (S/NF) Shihab said that he understood the need to clear
up the detainee's story. He said that at a minimum, the GORM
would place him under close surveillance if he were to be
returned, and would put him on a watch list to ensure that
he could not leave the country. Shihab noted that with
Maldives as an island nation, this would be effective in
preventing him from traveling, unless, Shihab said, "he is
very good at rowing."


3. (S/NF) COMMENT: Shihab made it clear once again that
Maldives is prepared to cooperate fully with us in dealing
with the detainee.

LUNSTEAD