Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RIYADH5274
2006-07-03 11:42:00
SECRET
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:  

MOI REQUESTS GTMO SUICIDE NOTES TO QUELL MURDER

Tags:  PTER PREL KAWC SA 
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VZCZCXRO7848
OO RUEHDE
DE RUEHRH #5274 1841142
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 031142Z JUL 06 ZDK RT REPROTECT
FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9182
INFO RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE
RUEHRH/CHUSMTM RIYADH SA
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHRMAKS/COMUSNAVCENT
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC
S E C R E T RIYADH 005274 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL KAWC SA
SUBJECT: MOI REQUESTS GTMO SUICIDE NOTES TO QUELL MURDER
ACCUSATIONS

REF: RIYADH 4919

Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
).

S E C R E T RIYADH 005274

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2016
TAGS: PTER PREL KAWC SA
SUBJECT: MOI REQUESTS GTMO SUICIDE NOTES TO QUELL MURDER
ACCUSATIONS

REF: RIYADH 4919

Classified By: Ambassador James C. Oberwetter for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
).


1. (U) This is an action request.


2. (S) The Saudi Ministry of Interior (MOI) has asked the
USG for the suicide notes written by the two deceased Saudi
Guantanamo detainees, Yasser al-Zahrani and Manie al-Otaibi.
The MOI wishes to provide copies of these letters to the
family members of the deceased as evidence that their sons
committed suicide. Post requests the Department's assistance
in asking that DOD provide MOI with either the original notes
or photocopies.


3. (S) The MOI has performed autopsies on the bodies, and
said they will announce their findings within one month.
Family members of the deceased continue to deny that their
sons committed suicide, and they continue to publicly accuse
U.S. authorities of murder. Funerals were held this past
week for the two men; the Arab News reported that 5,000
mourners attended al-Zahrani's funeral in Medina.


4. (S) Comment: Post recognizes that the suicide notes are
part of an ongoing DOD investigation into the deaths.
However, we agree with MOI's assessment that the notes may
help the family members come to terms with the reality of the
suicides. End Comment.
OBERWETTER