SYRIAN DETAINEES RELEASED, SECURITY WORKING GROUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAMASCUS 000726 SIPDIS SIPDIS PARIS FOR ZEYA, LONDON FOR TSOU E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2017 TAGS: PREF PREL PGOV SY IZ SUBJECT: SYRIAN DETAINEES RELEASED, SECURITY WORKING GROUP MEETING MAY TAKE PLACE IN AUGUST REF: DAMASCUS 00652 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Michael H. Corbin for reasons 1.4 b/d ¶1. (C) The Iraqi Charge d'Affaires in Damascus told Emboff at a reception on July 15 that Iraqi authorities had released two Syrian detainees on July 12 or 13 (mentioned in reftel), potentially paving the way for a Syrian-hosted border security working group meeting in Damascus as early as August ¶1. This confirmation follows reports last week by Egyptian diplomats in Damascus who told us that Iraqi FM Zebari had called his Syrian counterpart and informed him categorically that two Syrian "officers" detained since early 2007 and sentenced to ten years in prison would be released imminently. Zebari's call was preceded by a visit to Damascus of Iraqi presidential advisor Fakhri Zanganeh, according to sources here. There has been no official statement from the SARG on the release or on Iraqi working groups to date. ¶2. (C) Comment: In addition to potential progress on the Syrian-hosted border security working group, the release of the two Syrian detainees may mean Syrian participation in the refugee working group schedule for late July in Amman. CORBIN