MALDIVES: GOVERNMENT'S QUESTIONS ON TRANSFER OF DETAINEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 002023 SIPDIS STATE FOR SA/INS AND S/WCI E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2014 TAGS: PTER KAWC PHUM PINR MV SUBJECT: MALDIVES: GOVERNMENT'S QUESTIONS ON TRANSFER OF DETAINEE REF: STATE 264536 Classified By: AMB. JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD. REASON: 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) The Government of the Republic of Maldives (GORM) has responded by diplomatic note, dated December 20, to the Embassy's diplomatic note advising that the U.S. is prepared to transfer Maldivian detainee Ibrahim Fouzee to GORM control upon agreement to the transfer terms conveyed reftel. The GORM note raises two specific questions about the terms of the transfer. The text of the GORM diplomatic note follows below: ¶2. (C) Begin text of diplomatic note: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America to the Republic of Maldives and with reference to the Embassy's Note. No. 087 dated 13 December 2004 has the honour to state that the Ministry is pleased to learn that the US authorities are about to release Mr. Ibrahim Fauzee who is currently in detention in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Ministry has referred the issues raised in the note to the competent authorities of the Government of Maldives and would revert to the Embassy as soon as their response is received. In the meantime, the Ministry wishes to inquire whether his travel document would be prepared by the US authorities, and whether his charge sheet could be made available to the Ministry for onward transmission to the competent authorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America to the Republic of Maldives the assurances of its highest consideration. Male, 20 December 2004 End text of diplomatic note. ¶3. (C) Action Request: The Embassy requests Department's guidance on answers to the questions raised in the GORM's diplomatic note. LUNSTEAD