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