FRANCE: INTERAGENCY BRIEFING TEAM ON GUANTANAMO

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001797 SIPDIS STATE FOR S/WCI, EUR/WE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2015 TAGS: PTER KAWC PINR PREL FR SUBJECT: FRANCE: INTERAGENCY BRIEFING TEAM ON GUANTANAMO ISSUES REF: A. STATE 45507 ¶B. PARIS 1711 Classified By: Ambassador Howard Leach, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). (C) Post read with interest ref A proposal to send an interagency briefing team on Guantanamo issues to France, and respectfully declines the offer for the team to visit France. We point out that the last of the French detainees in Guantanamo were recently returned to French custody (ref B). Six of the seven ex-Guantanamo detainees have been accused of "terrorist conspiracy" by French prosecutors, and cases against them are currently being developed. Public attention has swung away from Guantanamo and towards the French judicial prosecutions of these ex-Guantanamo detainees. To refocus French government and public attention back towards Guantanamo would, in our opinion, not be helpful at this point. It might also risk negative effects on GOF prosecutions of the six ex-Guantanamo detainees. In France, as elsewhere, claims of abuse have been made by the returned detainees; however, it is Post's opinion that the situation currently favors addressing any allegations that may generate significant attention on a case-by-case basis. For purposes of responding to media inquiries, Post would welcome prepared briefing documents outlining USG policies. Media interest for the moment is slight, but should this change, Post would appreciate having State and DOD contacts for a possible DVC (Digital Video Conference) briefing. Leach