KAZAKHSTAN: TREATMENT OF RETURNED GUANTANAMO

S E C R E T ASTANA 001644 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR S/WCI (M. STAMILIO),S/WCI (A. MORRISON),L/PM (AHAINES),SCA/CEN (M. O'MARA),L/HRR, DRL/MLGA (K. MCGREENEY),DRL/NESCA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/14/2017 TAGS: PTER KAWC PHUM PREL PINR KZ SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: TREATMENT OF RETURNED GUANTANAMO DETAINEES TO KAZAKHSTAN REF: A. STATE 63758 ¶B. 06 ASTANA 814 Classified By: Amb. John Ordway, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (S) Post has no reason to believe that the three Kazakhstanis returned from Guantanamo Bay have been mistreated by Kazakhstani authorities. Based on the GOK's overall record of excellent counterterrorism cooperation, we judge that the GOK is capable of receiving the final detainee if he is approved for release. Whether or not the GOK agrees to accept the return of the final detainee may depend on if they receive the additional information they have requested on the four Kazakhstanis that were/are detained. ¶2. (S) The Kazakhstanis have stated that they have no plans to prosecute the three returned detainees absent additional information of their "guilt" from the U.S. The only additional information Post currently has on the three returned detainees is derived from open press reports. The Kazakhstani press has reported interviews with the three repatriated detainees or members of their immediate family. From the press reports, it appears that all three returned detainees are living and working freely in Kazakhstan. The press has not reported any indication of mistreatment by the Kazakhstani authorities and there is no report of any of the detainees being investigated or prosecuted locally or having been detained in Kazakhstan. Post is not aware of the steps that have been taken by the Government of Kazakhstan to reduce any threat these individuals pose. ¶3. (S) Post is unable to discuss this matter with international NGOs in Kazakhstan without creating tension in the bilateral relationship. Kazakhstani authorities closely watch NGOs and would most certainly be aware of any embassy query into the matter. If post were to unilaterally investigate the issue without officially approaching the Government of Kazakhstan, the Kazakhstanis would likely be see this as an effort by the U.S. to go "behind their backs" to gather such information in order to acquire derogatory information on the Government of Kazakhstan. The only way for post to actively gather information about the returned detainees is by officially requesting the information first from the Kazakhstani government. ¶4. (S) Comment: The Kazakhstanis have informed post on numerous occasions that in order to justify monitoring the detainees, they request additional incriminating details on the transferred detainees (Ref B). Post believes that sharing additional details would not only facilitate positive control of the detainees by local authorities, but would also make it easier to reach agreement if and when the final detainee is approved for release and transfer. End comment. ORDWAY