GOP INQUIRY INTO GTMO ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 000872 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2016 TAGS: KAWC PK PREL PTER SUBJECT: GOP INQUIRY INTO GTMO ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW BOARDS, REPATRIATION OF DETAINEES REF: 06 STATE 202349 Classified By: DCM Peter W. Bodde, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request -- please see para. 5. ¶2. (C//NF) During a January 26 lunch with visiting SCA DAS John Gastright, MFA officials queried emboffs regarding the prospects for the release of Pakistani detainees currently in custody at the Guantanamo Bay detention center. During the conversation, the Pakistani diplomats referred to a note verbale addressing administrative review boards at the Guantanamo Bay detention center. Emboffs advised the MFA officials that the Embassy's Political Section had not/not received such a diplomatic note. On February 15, MFA (Americas) Director Mansoor Khan passed to PolCouns a copy of a note verbale dated 30 December 2006 (text below),and asked for a read-out of the most recent proceedings involving Pakistani nationals. Khan again pressed Pakistan's request for repatriation of the Guantanamo detainees. PolCouns referred Khan to the Department's most recent guidance on the release of these detainees (Ref A),but agreed to advise the Department of the Government's continuing interest in this issue. ¶3. (C) Text of the MFA's December 2006 note verbale: (Begin text.) No. USA-2/16/2006 30 December 2006 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Islamabad and has the honour to refer to communications regarding Administration Review Board (ARB) proceedings in respect of three Guantanamo detainees: (1) Mr. Mohammad Ghulam Ahmed Rabbani, (2) Mr. Saifullah Paracha, and (3) Hafes Qari Mohammad Saad Madni. The Government of Pakistan wishes to convey that: (a) the individuals are Pakistani nationals, (b) the Government of Pakistan may accept the individuals, (c) the relatives of individuals have been notified of Annual Review Board, and (d) on transfer from Guantanamo Bay, intelligence gathered about the activities of individuals, if significant, could be shared. The U.S. Embassy is requested to convey the information to the relevant U.S. authorities for holding the Administration Review Boards in respect of the above three Guantanamo detainees. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the esteemed Embassy the assurance of its highest consideration. ¶4. (C//NF) Comment: The Government of Pakistan is sensitive to the public's frustration over the continued detention of Pakistani nationals at the GTMO facilities. MFA officials frequently ask emboffs for the status of these detainees, as they remain high-profile cases in the local press. ¶5. (C) Action request: Post requests Department forward as much information as possible to share with the Government of Pakistan regarding the administrative review board proceedings for all Pakistani nationals currently in detention at Guantanamo Bay. CROCKER