MALDIVES CLARIFIES POSITION ON GUANTANAMO DETAINEE

S E C R E T COLOMBO 000358 SIPDIS STATE FOR SA, SA/INS AND S/WCI SECDEF FOR SOL/LIC ASD OICONNELL NSC FOR DORMANDY E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/15/2015 TAGS: PTER KAWC PREL PINS MV SUBJECT: MALDIVES CLARIFIES POSITION ON GUANTANAMO DETAINEE IBRAHIM FOWZY REF: (A) COLOMBO 291 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: AMBASSADOR JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD FOR REASON 1.5 (D). ¶1. (S) Maldivian Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Zakariyyah called DCM February 15 to SIPDIS advise that, after the DCM's February 3 conversation with the Maldivian Attorney General, the GoRM had further considered its position on the return of Maldivian Guantanamo detainee Ibrahim Fowzy, in particular what the GoRM would be willing to do once Mr. Fowzy was back in Maldives. Zakariyyah advised that a diplomatic note on the subject has just been faxed to the Embassy, the text of which follows. Begin text Reference No. (C2)-EA-US/B/05/06 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. 097 dated 13 December 2004 regarding Mr. Ibrahim Fauzee who is currently in detention in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has the honour to state as follows: Following the release of Mr. Ibrahim Fauzee from US military detention in Guantanamo Bay and upon his return to the Maldives, the Government of Maldives undertakes to treat him humanely in accordance with the laws, and its international obligations. The Government of Maldives further undertakes to assume the responsibility to ensure that information on Mr. Fauzee, are entered into relevant national and international watch lists and to apply every measure consistent with its laws to keep him under surveillance, to monitor his movements, and if necessary and appropriate, to restrict them, in order to prevent him from actively engaging in terrorism related activities or associating himself with terrorist organizations. The Government of Maldives also undertakes to reciprocally share with the United States appropriate information on Mr. Fauzee, and intelligence relevant to the general purpose for, and shared interest in, fighting against global terrorism; extending its full cooperation to the United States in this vital area. 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, 15 February 2005 End Text ¶2. (S) Comment: We think this further strengthens what we already found to be a reasonable Maldivian position on how it would treat Mr. Fowzy. Please advise soonest so that this matter may be brought to a close. LUNSTEAD