STATUS OF FRAMEWORK FOR RELEASE OF BANGLADESHI

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 006190 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/03/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM PINS KAWC BG SUBJECT: STATUS OF FRAMEWORK FOR RELEASE OF BANGLADESHI GUANTANAMO DETAINEE REF: A. STAMILLO/WONG EMAIL 9/27/2006 ¶B. DHAKA 4743 ¶C. STATE 142725 ¶D. STATE 122274 Classified By: Charge Geeta Pasi, Reason(s): 1.4 (b) ¶1. (C) We continue to engage with Foreign and Home Ministry officials to create an acceptable framework for the repatriation from Guantanamo of Bangladeshi national Mubarrak Hussain bin Abul Hashem. ¶2. (C) On September 25, MFA Americas Director Mahbub Saleh affirmed to poloff that Hashem is in fact a Bangladeshi citizen, that the Home Minister agreed in June to accept him in Bangladesh, and that the U.S. and Bangladeshi governments both want to see him released from Guantanamo. Saleh said that the GOB is still interested in the exact modalities of the transfer and suggested treating the transfer like a deportation. He took onboard poloff's statement that the modalities start with a GOB written reply to our July 31 diplomatic note, and that the transfer of Hashem raises potential security issues per our diplomatic note. Saleh agreed that a written response would be appropriate but underscored that the response must conform to Bangladeshi laws. ¶3. (C) In subsequent discussions, most recently on October 3, Saleh said that within the "next few days" MFA expects to receive the go-ahead to issue a formal response to the USG which would substantively address the issues raised. He again said that any action must conform to Bangladesh law. In ref A, Washington informed post that the Bangladeshi Ambassador in Washington said a written response might be difficult. When told of this, Saleh expressed surprise and reiterated that he expects the MFA to send us soon an appropriate written response. ¶4. (C) Comment: MFA appears to be constructively focused on the issue. We will continue to press MFA for a positive outcome prior to the arrival of the caretaker government near the end of October. PASI