ADDITIONAL DETAIL ON GOE GTMO DETAINEE ASSURANCES

S E C R E T CAIRO 006582

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FO, ELA
S/WCI FOR AMB. PROSPER, R. MILLER AND D. HODGKINSON
L FOR J DOLAN
DRL FOR C. CAMPONOVO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2015
TAGS: PTER PREL PHUM PINR EG GTMO
SUBJECT: ADDITIONAL DETAIL ON GOE GTMO DETAINEE ASSURANCES

REF: A. CAIRO 6487

B. STATE 147191

Classified By: CDA Stuart E. Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

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Summary and Comment
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1. (S) This message adds additional detail to the GOE
response regarding GTMO detainees as outlined in Ref A. Post
received this information through established liaison
channels and through face-to-face meetings with Egyptian
General Intelligence Service (EGIS) Director Soliman.
Soliman's thorough discussion of this issue coupled with
separate discussions in liaison channels represents full
Egyptian concurrence with the requested assurances for the
transfer of Egyptian detainees. End summary and comment.

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Points Delivered and Acknowledged
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2. (S) Due to General Soliman's travel outside of Cairo, ORA
liaison delivered ref B demarche both orally and via
non-paper on August 14 to the Chief of the National Security
Bureau at EGIS. The Chief is responsible for all
counterterrorism and detainee issues. He acknowledged
receipt of the points and said that he would pass them to
General Soliman for his review. General Soliman does not
devolve decision-making authority on issues of such import.

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The GOE Response
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3. (S) General Soliman returned to Cairo in order to meet
with Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence Peter Hoekstra and his delegation on August 20.
Embassy Charge d'Affaires also attended the meeting. Post
had briefed the delegation on the assurances issue and we
used this opportunity to press General Soliman for a detailed
response the latest request for assurances.


4. (S) The Egyptian response to the ref B demarche and to our
presentation to General Soliman on August 20 was as follows:

-- Soliman acknowledged receipt and understanding of the ref
B talking points, which were passed verbatim.

-- Soliman affirmed Egypt's commitment to treat the subjects
humanely, according to Egypt's law and its commitments and
international obligations under the U.N. Convention Against
Torture. Soliman re-asserted that Egypt respects its
obligations, and the returned detainees would not be
subjected to torture.

-- The detainees would not be held unless the Egyptian
justice system had a case pending against them. Were they to
be detained, the American Embassy would be granted access to
them as has been done in the past.

-- Egypt is willing to accept the repatriation of the
Egyptian Guantanamo detainees and take full custody and
control of them upon their return.

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Comment
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5. (S) As mentioned in ref A, the GOE would "rather (the
detainees) stay in Guantanamo Bay," but have agreed to accept
them in the spirit of counterterrorism cooperation. As
Soliman noted, accepting the detainees imposes a security
risk on Egypt and will require the mobilization of resources
to monitor the individuals to ensure they do not pose a risk
to Egyptian or U.S. national security.


6. (S) Soliman's Aug 20 presentation on this subject
represents the definitive Egyptian response to our request
for assurances.


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JONES