STATUS OF MALDIVIAN GUANTANAMO DETAINEE IBRAHIM

S E C R E T COLOMBO 001853 SIPDIS NOFORN FROM THE AMBASSADOR STATE FOR SA AND S/WCI LTC MILLER SECDEF FOR SOL/LIC ASD OICONNELL E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2014 TAGS: PREL PINS MOPS PHUM PINR MV SUBJECT: STATUS OF MALDIVIAN GUANTANAMO DETAINEE IBRAHIM FOWZY REF: COLOMBO 1696 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Jeffrey J. Lunstead for reason 1.4 (d). ¶1. (S/NF) In the past year and a half, we have sent in a number of messages asking for updates on the status of Maldivian Guantanamo detainee Ibrahim Fowzy and urging that consideration be given to a prompt return of Mr. Fowzy to Maldives. In a nutshell, our position has been that the Maldivians themselves (after interviewing Fowzy at Guantanamo in the summer of 2003) do not believe that he poses a particular threat and that the Maldivians have assured us that they would keep a close eye on Mr. Fowzy once he is returned. It is important to remember that Mr. Fowzy was arrested in Pakistan, not Afghanistan, and never went to Afghanistan until U.S. authorities took him to Bagram. ¶2. (S/NF) I understand completely that the entire issue of Guantanamo releases has been called into question by "recidivists" who were released and have again taken up arms against us. Mr. Fowzy,s case should not be lumped in with this issue, however. If he is returned to Maldives, an archipelago of islands under close control from the center, there are no lawless frontier areas that he could sneak off to even if he were so inclined. As noted above, the Maldivian authorities have assured us they are willing to discuss with us measures they could take to ensure he would not become a threat and I take them at their word. ¶3. (S/NF) Maldives is a moderate Muslim country, well-disposed to the U.S. and supportive in our global counter-terrorism efforts. Returning Mr. Fowzy would make clear that we see them as part of the solution in the GWOT, not part of the problem. Moreover, at a time when we are urging Maldives to take difficult steps on the road to democracy and to treat political detainees humanely in an environment of legal safeguards, our inability to even provide updates on Mr. Fowzy,s status and health undercut our credibility. An early return of Mr. Fowzy to Maldives is clearly in the U.S. interest. ¶4. (U) Please advise. LUNSTEAD