ROYG ACCEPTS THE RETURN OF GTMO DETAINEES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 000440 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER KAWC YM COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: ROYG ACCEPTS THE RETURN OF GTMO DETAINEES REF: A. 05 SANAA 3232 ¶B. 05 STATE 206941 Classified By: AMBASSADOR THOMAS C. KRAJESKI, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND ( D). ¶1. (C) On February 21, Assistant Deputy Foreign Minister Khalid Al-Akwa presented DCM with the ROYG's long-awaited response to the proposed transfer of 13 Yemenis from Guantanamo Bay (ref A). In the diplomatic note, the ROYG agrees to accept 12 of the detainees proposed for transfer (ref B). As for the remaining detainee (Abudul Rahman Qyati, US9YM-000461DP),Akwa stated that the ROYG has not been able to confirm his Yemeni citizenship, as Qyati refused to be interviewed by Yemeni security officials who visited Guantanamo. Until security officials can interview Qyati and verify his citizenship, Akwa continued, the ROYG will not accept his transfer. ¶2. (C) Akwa also requested complete files for the 12 transferees, including notes from any interviews conducted. DCM inquired whether or not the exchange of files was a condition for accepting the transfer. Akwa replied that the ROYG was ready to accept the detainees without conditions, but would appreciate any further information the USG could provide, saying "if we don't know what they did, we can't charge them." Akwa also stressed that the transferred detainees would be "dealt with" according to Yemeni law. ¶3. (C) Comment: Despite assurances that the USG is not asking the ROYG to detain the individuals on our behalf, Akwa's emphasis on dealing with the detainees under Yemeni law indicates that the ROYG still fears a negative reaction if the detainees are released upon transfer. Post recommends providing any releasable information that may help the ROYG decide whether or not to detain or prosecute the individuals. End Comment. ¶4. (U) Post will forward a copy of the letter via email. Krajeski