REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON UPCOMING GOP VISIT TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 014910 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/01/2016 TAGS: KAWC PHUM PINR PK PREL PTER SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON UPCOMING GOP VISIT TO GUANTANAMO REF: A. A. PORGES-BRADLEY EMAIL (07/31/2006) ¶B. B. ISLAMABAD 14210 ¶C. C. STATE 11960 ¶D. D. STATE 109356 ¶1. (U) This is an action request; see paragraph 3. ¶2. (C) On July 31, POLOFF met with MOI LtCol Imran Yaqoob, who said that only two GOP officials plan to travel to Guantanamo to visit detainees of Pakistani nationality -- himself and MOI Operations Officer, Major Khalid Mahmood Khan. Yaqoob also stated that the MOI "has concurred" with the USG-proposed transfer framework for detainees and that the MFA should respond to Post's demarche (ref B) in the near future. Post has contacted the MFA, which claims the MOI's written concurrence has not yet been received. ¶3. (C) Action request: To ensure that Post has a good understanding of Washington's requirements concerning this trip and that the correct information is passed to the GOP, Post requests front-channel instructions regarding arrangements for this visit. It would be helpful if the cable included the following information: -- GOP officials who have been vetted and approved for travel to Guantanamo; -- Final confirmation of the dates and mode of travel to Guantanamo. (Note: In a July 31 email (ref A),Post was notified that the tentative dates are August 8-10, but the dates frequently slip.) -- Confirmation that Washington agencies have all the information they need regarding the GOP delegation (i.e., statement of intent for visit, names of detainees to be interviewed, etc.); -- Clarification whether this Guantanamo visit is contingent on receipt of written assurances on humane treatment and continued access (ref B and C). ¶4. (C) Comment: In order to facilitate this and future visits, Post requests early consultations and coordination with responsible DOS and DOD offices. The experience of planning this trip has shown that the MOI and the MFA have internal agendas regarding the detainee issue, and close coordination with Washington can help overcome bureaucratic obstacles. CROCKER