CURRENT STATUS OF ALLEGED TERRORIST LUIS POSADA

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 001486

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2015
TAGS: PREL PTER EAIR KJUS CU VE JM
SUBJECT: CURRENT STATUS OF ALLEGED TERRORIST LUIS POSADA
CARRILES AND POSSIBLE EXTRADITION

REF: STATE 99854

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Ronald S. Robinson, per 1.5(d).


1. (SBU) On June 8, Pol/Econ Chief met with Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT) Caribbean and
Americas Director Joy Wheeler to convey reftel talking
points, a copy of which he provided her. He emphasized the
USG's commitment to handle the Posada case consistent with
U.S. law and with our international obligations, and noted
GOV and GOC manipulation of the matter for political reasons.


2. (C) Wheeler was surprised to learn that the GOV had not
yet submitted an extradition request, and that the GOV's
provisional arrest request was flawed. She thanked P/E Chief
for the information, which she said she would share with
appropriate Ministry colleagues. Wheeler observed that news
of the downing of the 1976 Cubana Airlines flight off the
coast of Barbados had hit hard ("a sad, heavy blow") in
Jamaica and the English-speaking Caribbean, and that some of
her colleagues had known relatives of individuals lost in
that incident. She expressed the hope that Posada would be
held to account for his alleged crimes by the same standard
as other known or suspected terrorists. The GOJ, she said,
would watch the proceedings with interest.
ROBINSON