Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MANAMA1620
2005-11-02 13:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Manama
Cable title:  

BAHRAINI GTMO DETAINEE SUICIDE REPORT GETS

Tags:  KAWC PHUM PTER PREL BA 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001620 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2015
TAGS: KAWC PHUM PTER PREL BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI GTMO DETAINEE SUICIDE REPORT GETS
PROMINENT COVERAGE

REF: A. MANAMA 1594 B. MANAMA 1553 C. MANAMA 1547

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe. Reasons: 1.4 (B)(D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 001620

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2015
TAGS: KAWC PHUM PTER PREL BA
SUBJECT: BAHRAINI GTMO DETAINEE SUICIDE REPORT GETS
PROMINENT COVERAGE

REF: A. MANAMA 1594 B. MANAMA 1553 C. MANAMA 1547

Classified By: Ambassador William T. Monroe. Reasons: 1.4 (B)(D)


1. (U) This is an action message -- see para 5.


2. (U) All Bahraini newspapers gave prominent front-page
coverage November 2 to the November 1 Washington Post story
describing the reported October 15 suicide attempt by
Bahraini Guantanamo detainee Juma Al-Dossary. The reporting
in the Bahraini press drew heavily from the Washington Post
article, with additional quotes from a second American lawyer
as well as a Bahraini human rights activist. In one article,
MFA Undersecretary Shaikh Abdel Aziz Al Khalifa was quoted as
assuring the families that the Bahrain government was looking
into all allegations of mistreatment of Bahraini detainees,
adding: "We are very disturbed by these allegations and feel
very strongly that any mistreatment of our Bahraini detainees
will not be accepted in any way, and we will do our best to
ensure that they are treated fairly."


3. (C) In an November 2 discussion with the Ambassador,
Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid said that the continuing
reports about Al-Dossary's alleged mistreatment at Guantanamo
(ref B) and now the account of his reported suicide have
created a real stir in Bahrain. He said he expected more
questioning from Parliamentarians. He reiterated the
Ministry's request for information about the veracity of
Al-Dossary's allegations (reported ref B) as well as this
latest report of a suicide attempt.


4. (C) Comment: The planned return of three of the six
Bahraini detainees over the Eid holiday weekend would
normally be expected to alleviate some of the pressure and
concern that has built up locally about the Bahrainis at
Guantanamo. However, coming in the context of a steady
stream of reports of alleged mistreatment, hunger strikes,
and suicide attempts involving the Bahrainis, reporting is
not likely to abate following their return -- especially when
it is discovered that that the two who have received the most
press -- hunger striker Al-Murbati and Al-Dossari -- are not
in this group of three returnees. And we can expect strong
press interest in how the three returnees will describe their
treatment at Guantanamo.


5. (C) Action request: USG interests will continue to take a
hit in Bahrain on the detainee issue. The Embassy urges
urgent consideration of steps that could be taken to improve
our public standing on this issue here, such as:

-- language to respond privately to the MFA's diplomatic note
of October 23 requesting information on the veracity of
reports of mistreatment of Al-Dossary and of Al-Murbati's
hunger strike (ref B).

-- press guidance or talking points that could be used to
respond publicly to the allegations of mistreatment of Al
Dossary (ref B).

-- consideration of approval of a trip by representatives of
the Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society to Washington to
discuss the issue of the remaining Bahraini detainees, as
requested by the group in a meeting with the Ambassador on
October 16 (ref C),or possibly a DVC with DOD officials as a
first step.
MONROE