Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NAIROBI1883
2006-05-02 15:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
U.S.-CAPTURED SOMALIS REPATRIATED TO SOMALIA
how-toVZCZCXYZ0007 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHNR #1883 1221505 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 021505Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1386 INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 8485 RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM PRIORITY 4637 RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 4168 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 1339 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1935 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1908 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001883
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2026
TAGS: PHSA MOPS ASEC PTER PREL ICRC SO KE
SUBJECT: U.S.-CAPTURED SOMALIS REPATRIATED TO SOMALIA
REF: A. NAIROBI 1661
B. NAIROBI 1381
Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Fitzpatrick for
reasons 1.4 (b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001883
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2026
TAGS: PHSA MOPS ASEC PTER PREL ICRC SO KE
SUBJECT: U.S.-CAPTURED SOMALIS REPATRIATED TO SOMALIA
REF: A. NAIROBI 1661
B. NAIROBI 1381
Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Fitzpatrick for
reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ten Somali nationals under U.S. control
since an encounter on the high seas in mid-March were
successfully repatriated April 29 to Somalia via Kenya with
the assistance of the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC). The remains of the deceased Somali are
expected to be transferred from Kuwait to Djibouti May 8 for
ICRC assistance in repatriation. The two wounded Somalis
currently under U.S. control are expected to require ICRC
assistance in their repatriation to Somalia (via Kenya)
sometime in June. The ICRC currently seeks detention
certificates for those released and access to the two injured
PUCs still being detained. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) HEADED HOME: The ten Somali nationals taken into
U.S. control by the U.S. Navy on March 18, following an
encounter with a U.S. navel vessel, were successfully
repatriated to Somalia (via Kenya) on April 29 with the
assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC). The U.S. naval vessel carrying the ten Somalis
arrived at the Port of Mombasa shortly after 0900 local time
and the Somalis were off-loaded at the pier around 1000. The
Kenyan authorities arranged for the secure transfer of the
Somalis from the seaside pier to the U.S. warehouse at
Mombasa's airport, where the Somalis were then transferred to
the control of the ICRC. At about 1140 the ICRC aircraft
carrying all ten Somalis departed Mombasa for Mogadishu.
Pedram Yazdi, Communication Delegate to the Somalia
Delegation of the ICRC and among the ICRC staff to accompany
the Somalis during their repatriation, reported to poloff May
2 that the repatriation and reunion of the Somalis with their
relatives in Mogadishu went smoothly, despite ICRC concerns
over security. However the ICRC is still awaiting a response
to its request for the USG to issue detention certificates
for the ten released Somalis. The ICRC argues that these
certificates are necessary to assist the released individuals
in documenting that they were released without charge.
3. (SBU) REMAINS OF THE DAY: The remains of the Somali who
died of injuries sustained during the March 18 encounter are
currently under the control of ARCENT in Kuwait. ARCENT
intends to transfer the remains to Djibouti on May 8, at
which point the ICRC will then facilitate the repatriation to
Somalia. The ICRC has requested that the remains be prepared
according to Muslim custom. However, ARCENT's Mortuary
Affairs Officer informed Poloff that they are not able to
comply with the request given the state of decay of the body.
ICRC also has asked whether the USG will issue a Death
Certificate for the deceased (which has already been
prepared) and also sign a hand-over certificate documenting
the transfer of the remains to ICRC control.
4. (C) AND THEN THERE WERE TWO: Post anticipates that the two
wounded Somalis currently receiving medical attention aboard
a U.S. Navy vessel in the region will be ready for
repatriation via Kenya in early June. One of the wounded
still requires a complicated medical procedure. The ICRC has
renewed its request for access to the two detained Somalis
prior to any attempt to repatriate them. Post will request
ICRC assistance in facilitating the repatriation of the two
remaining Somalis once a date for such a transfer (also via
Kenya) is known.
BELLAMY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/01/2026
TAGS: PHSA MOPS ASEC PTER PREL ICRC SO KE
SUBJECT: U.S.-CAPTURED SOMALIS REPATRIATED TO SOMALIA
REF: A. NAIROBI 1661
B. NAIROBI 1381
Classified By: Political Counselor Michael J. Fitzpatrick for
reasons 1.4 (b,d)
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ten Somali nationals under U.S. control
since an encounter on the high seas in mid-March were
successfully repatriated April 29 to Somalia via Kenya with
the assistance of the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC). The remains of the deceased Somali are
expected to be transferred from Kuwait to Djibouti May 8 for
ICRC assistance in repatriation. The two wounded Somalis
currently under U.S. control are expected to require ICRC
assistance in their repatriation to Somalia (via Kenya)
sometime in June. The ICRC currently seeks detention
certificates for those released and access to the two injured
PUCs still being detained. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) HEADED HOME: The ten Somali nationals taken into
U.S. control by the U.S. Navy on March 18, following an
encounter with a U.S. navel vessel, were successfully
repatriated to Somalia (via Kenya) on April 29 with the
assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC). The U.S. naval vessel carrying the ten Somalis
arrived at the Port of Mombasa shortly after 0900 local time
and the Somalis were off-loaded at the pier around 1000. The
Kenyan authorities arranged for the secure transfer of the
Somalis from the seaside pier to the U.S. warehouse at
Mombasa's airport, where the Somalis were then transferred to
the control of the ICRC. At about 1140 the ICRC aircraft
carrying all ten Somalis departed Mombasa for Mogadishu.
Pedram Yazdi, Communication Delegate to the Somalia
Delegation of the ICRC and among the ICRC staff to accompany
the Somalis during their repatriation, reported to poloff May
2 that the repatriation and reunion of the Somalis with their
relatives in Mogadishu went smoothly, despite ICRC concerns
over security. However the ICRC is still awaiting a response
to its request for the USG to issue detention certificates
for the ten released Somalis. The ICRC argues that these
certificates are necessary to assist the released individuals
in documenting that they were released without charge.
3. (SBU) REMAINS OF THE DAY: The remains of the Somali who
died of injuries sustained during the March 18 encounter are
currently under the control of ARCENT in Kuwait. ARCENT
intends to transfer the remains to Djibouti on May 8, at
which point the ICRC will then facilitate the repatriation to
Somalia. The ICRC has requested that the remains be prepared
according to Muslim custom. However, ARCENT's Mortuary
Affairs Officer informed Poloff that they are not able to
comply with the request given the state of decay of the body.
ICRC also has asked whether the USG will issue a Death
Certificate for the deceased (which has already been
prepared) and also sign a hand-over certificate documenting
the transfer of the remains to ICRC control.
4. (C) AND THEN THERE WERE TWO: Post anticipates that the two
wounded Somalis currently receiving medical attention aboard
a U.S. Navy vessel in the region will be ready for
repatriation via Kenya in early June. One of the wounded
still requires a complicated medical procedure. The ICRC has
renewed its request for access to the two detained Somalis
prior to any attempt to repatriate them. Post will request
ICRC assistance in facilitating the repatriation of the two
remaining Somalis once a date for such a transfer (also via
Kenya) is known.
BELLAMY