GOP REQUESTS REPATRIATION OF GTMO AND BAGRAM

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 ISLAMABAD 022026

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2016
TAGS: KAWC PK PREL PTER
SUBJECT: GOP REQUESTS REPATRIATION OF GTMO AND BAGRAM
DETAINEES

REF: A. STATE 148119

B. ISLAMABAD 20385

Classified By: Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) This cable contains action requests; please see
paragraphs 4 and 5.


2. (C) In early November, POL received a copy of an MFA
note verbale dated 12 October 2006 requsting the repatriation
of six (6) Paksitani nationals currently in custody in the
detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay, as well as those
Pakistani nationals currently in U.S. custody in Afghanistan,
and to share evidence against each detainee to enable the
Government of Pakistan (GOP) to process these individuals
upon their return to Pakistan.


3. (C) Background: Following the August 8-10 visit by
Ministry of Interior (MOI) officers to GTMO, PolCouns had
been told that the MOI had forwarded text requesting detainee
repatriation to the MFA. PolCouns inquired at the MOI and
MFA about the status of the GOP request several times over
the course of the following weeks. During an October 20
meeting, MFA (Americas) Director General Sohail Mehmood
advised PolCouns that MOI LTC Imran Yacuub would serve as
the GOP's point-of-contact for all future detainees transfers
(Ref A); Mehmood also said that a note verbale requesting
repatriation of all detainees had been sent to the Embassy
the previous week. When no note arrived at the Embassy by
early November, POL requested that the MFA fax a copy to the
Embassy for transmission to WashDC. (Note: The note verbale
is reproduced in full in para. 6. End note.)


4. (C) Action request: Post requests Department guidance
on a response to the GOP request for repatriation of all GTMO
and Bagram detainees.


5. (C) Action request: Post has coordinated the
repatriation of Pakistani detainees in the past, most
recently in October 2006 (Ref B). POL will continue to
serve as the Embassy point-of-contact, but requests front
channel notice of the individuals to be transferred at least
one week before the proposed transfer date. This advance
notice will allow POL adequate time to coordinate with MOI
regarding confirmation of the detainees' nationality and to
assure that appropriate arrangements have been made to
process the detainees upon arrival in Pakistan. Post also
requests that the cable include names and contact information
for military points-of-contact responsible for the detainees'
custody and transfer to Pakistan, so that post is able to
coordinate logistical arrangements and flight clearances for
the detainees' transport.


6. (SBU) Text of October 12 note verbale:

(Begin text.)

No. USA-2/16/2006

12 October 2006

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of
Pakistan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the
United States of America in Islamabad and has the honour to
state that a two member Pakistani delegation visited
Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) from 8 August to 10 August 2006 for
consular access to Pakistani prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.

During the visit, the delegation met with officials of the
U.S. Department of State and Defence, including Admiral Harry

B. Harris Jr. Force Commander Taks Force, GTMO, Director
Joint Intelligence Group, Director Criminal Investigation
Task Force, Director FBI GTMO and Director Interrogation
Control GTMO. The delegation received briefings on each
detainee prior to consular access. The delegation confirmed
the total number of Pakistani detainees at GTMO as 06.

The Pakistani delegation in its meeting wth U.S. officials
conveyed that the Government of Pakistan was of the view that
detainees pose no threat to U.S. interests and hence should
be repatriated to Pakistan. Further, any evidence available
about each detainee may be shared with Government of Pakistan
for further processing of cases in Pakistan after

ISLAMABAD 00022026 002 OF 002


repatriation. The delegation intimated that the U.S.
officials indicated their willingness to consider the cases
for repatriation favourably if the Government of Pakistan
initiated a written request.

In view of the above, the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan is
requested to forward the formal request of the Government of
Pakistan to the concerned U.S. authorities for repatriation
of Pakistani detainees at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO) as well as
those detainees who are being held in Afghanistan and to
share evidence in respect of each detainee to enable the
Government of Pakistan to process these cases after
repatriation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of the
opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of
America in Islamabad the assurances of its highest
consideration.

Embassy of the United States of America,
Islamabad.

(End text.)
CROCKER