REPLY TO BAHRAINI SUGGESTION OF DETAINEE WORKING

S E C R E T MANAMA 000790

SIPDIS

FOR NEA/ARPI AND S/WCI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2015
TAGS: PREL KAWC OPDC BA
SUBJECT: REPLY TO BAHRAINI SUGGESTION OF DETAINEE WORKING
GROUP

REF: STATE 97796

Classified by A/DCM Helen H. Hahn for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S) Embassy delivered reftel reply to the Bahraini
suggestion to form a detainee working group to the MFA via
diplomatic note number 152 on May 31.


2. (S) Pol/Econ chief delivered a copy of the diplomatic
note to MFA Assistant Under Secretary for Coordination and
Follow Up Shaikh Abdul Aziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa on June 1.
Shaikh Abdul Aziz said he looked forward to hearing the
results of the Administrative Review Board (ARB) hearings for
four (of a total of six) Bahraini detainees at GTMO, to be
held in early summer. He stated that the MFA was under
constant pressure from the families of the detainees and
other advocates, including members of parliament, to do more
for the detainees. He noted that the American lawyers for
all six of the Bahraini detainees, from law firm Dorsey and
Whitney, would visit Bahrain in mid-June and he likely would
meet with them. Shaikh Abdul Aziz requested any updated
information we had on the status of the ARBs to be held this
summer, and decisions from the ARBs held for two other
Bahraini detainees in late 2004.

MONROE