STATUS OF MALDIVIAN GUANTANAMO DETAINEE IBRAHIM

S E C R E T COLOMBO 001572 SIPDIS NOFORN FROM THE AMBASSADOR STATE FOR SA/INS AND S/WCI LTC MILLER SECDEF FOR SOL/LIC ASD OICONNELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2014 TAGS: PREL PINS PTER MOPS PHUM PINR MV SUBJECT: STATUS OF MALDIVIAN GUANTANAMO DETAINEE IBRAHIM FOWZY REF: COLOMBO 883 Classified By: AMB. JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD. REASON: 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (S/NF) I hope to travel to Maldives in early October to meet with President Gayoom. My two main points will be to urge continued democratic reform and to express our hope that political detainees arrested since the August 12-13 disturbances are being well treated. In order to enhance my credibility with Gayoom, I would greatly appreciate guidance on what I can share with him regarding the status of Maldivian Guantanamo detainee Ibrahim Fowzy. ¶2. (S/NF) As we reviewed in reftel, Maldivian security officials traveled to Guantanamo, with our assistance, over a year ago and interviewed Fowzy at length. After running down several aspects of what Fowzy related in that interview, Maldivian authorities are satisfied that Mr. Fowzy does not pose a serious threat. They have told us they would keep him under close watch after his return and share any relevant information with us. Maldives is a moderate Muslim country well-disposed to the United States and supportive in the global war on terrorism. Sorting out Mr. Fowzy's status would pay great dividends. ¶3. (S/NF) In addition, I have just received a letter from the Chairman of the nascent Human Rights Commission of Maldives citing "information" that a "considerable number of detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has been sent back to Pakistan, among them some non Pakistanis" and asking for clarification as to whether Fowzy has been sent to Pakistan. ¶4. (S/NF) We understand that Fowzy's case has been moving through the interagency process and may be close to resolution. If that process can be finished before I travel to Maldives and meet President Gayoom, that would be ideal. LUNSTEAD