FRENCH REQUEST TO INTERVIEW COALITION DETAINEE

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 003148 SIPDIS SENSITIVE THIS CABLE IS SENSITIVE, ALBEIT UNCLASSIFIED, AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS PHUM PINS PTER FR IZ SUBJECT: FRENCH REQUEST TO INTERVIEW COALITION DETAINEE ¶1. (SBU) We have received a letter from the French Embassy, Baghdad requesting that Judge Philippe Courroye, First Investigating Judge at the Upper Paris Court be permitted to interview Mr. Tariq Aziz, Mr. Taha Yasin Ramadan, and Mr. Amir Rashid al-Tikriti al-Ubaydi, all currently held in Coalition detention facilities, on matters related to oil-for-food funds. ¶2. (SBU) Mr. Tariq Aziz and Mr. Taha Yasin Ramadan have appeared before investigative judges of the Iraqi Special Tribunal, and are in Iraqi legal custody pending trial. The ITG ordinarily controls access to these detainees, and we understand that the French Embassy has requested access through appropriate Iraqi channels. We also understand that MNF-I will support the ITG's decision on this matter. -------------- ACTION REQUEST -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Mr. Amir Rashid al-Tikriti al-Ubaydi, however, remains in the legal as well as the physical custody of MNF-I. We therefore seek guidance as to how to respond to the French Embassy's request, and thank the Department in advance for its assistance. Khalilzad