AMIR MESHAL: POTENTIAL COURT CASE

S E C R E T ADDIS ABABA 001091

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2032
TAGS: CASC EAIR KHLS PTER ET
SUBJECT: AMIR MESHAL: POTENTIAL COURT CASE

REF: STATE 47351

Classified By: AMBASSADOR DONALD YAMAMOTO FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (S/NF) In response to reftel demarche, Ambassador spoke
in detail with the Prime Minister prior to receiving the
demarche cable. It is not necessary to raise the questions
posed in reftel on potential Ethiopian Government charges
against Meshal. The GOE has made it clear to us in private
discussions, and passed to the Department in e-mail
communications, that they will comply with our April 2
diplomatic note seeking Meshal,s release and return to the
U.S. The position of the Ethiopian intelligence service and
all concerned has been to comply with U.S. requests on the
Meshal case. They question the length of time the U.S. is
taking to take charge of Meshal.


2. (S/NF) The GOE at this time does not plan to try Meshal
and awaits USG disposition on his case. If the U.S. does
not wish to take charge of Meshal or does not wish to return
Meshal to the U.S. at this time, as raised in question 3 d.,
then we must request the GOE to continue to keep Meshal
incarcerated until we have decided what we wish to do with
him. The GOE does not have any plans at this time to
prosecute or continue to hold him and wishes to comply with
the Embassy,s April 2 diplomatic note requesting the release
and return to the U.S. of Meshal.


3. (S/NF) The upcoming trial on Friday, April 13 will be for
a few foreign fighters with clear cases of ties to and
activities with extremist groups in Somalia. Post assumes
that the questions raised in reftel must therefore be in
reference to other foreign fighters being held and those who
will be charged and tried. We will seek those answers and
report septel.


4. (S/NF) On the release of Meshal, post has been informed
by the FBI today that a waiver to the no fly rule will be
granted to Meshal. He may return to the U.S. directly.
Currently we will request DS escort Meshal to the U.S., (most
likely Washington, D.C.) and arrange with CA to notify
Meshal,s father to meet his son upon arrival. We note that
we can arrange for his departure by Thursday, April 12 at the
earliest. We will remain in contact with relevant agencies
and bureaus on the handling of the Meshal case.


5. (S/NF) Comment: We want to get Meshal out quietly, prior
to the trial date. We originally thought all foreign
fighters would be charged. It is now clear only a few will
be charged and that Meshal would not be charged at this time.
End Comment.
YAMAMOTO