MFA RAISES GUANTANAMO ISSUES

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000073 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR S/WCI, AF/SPG, AND AF/RSA E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017 TAGS: PTER PREL PHUM KAWC US SU SUBJECT: MFA RAISES GUANTANAMO ISSUES REF: A. KHARTOUM 00062 ¶B. 06 STATE 196703 ¶C. 06 KHARTOUM 02920 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief E. Whitaker, Reason: Section 1.5 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On January 17, MFA Director of Americas Badawi al-Sanosi raised the matter of Sudanese detainees at Guantanamo with the DCM and Pol/Econ Counselor during a meeting to which they were summoned (other aspects covered septel). Al-Sanosi specifically requested an update on the status of Sani al-Haj, the Al Jazeira cameraman, and stated that both the Sudanese Government and the public wished to receive news regarding his situation. DCM Powers replied that the Embassy was aware of the Sudanese Government's interest in resolving the matter of Sudanese detainees, and had recently queried the Department of State for an update (Ref A). ¶2. (C) Al-Sanosi also provided Pol/Econ Counselor with an update regarding the Administrative Review Board scheduled for Muhamed Noor Othman (Refs B and C). ¶3. (C) The text of the note is as follows: (Begin text) Sudan Preparedness to receive the Sudanese Citizen Muhamed Noor Otherman 1 ) The family of the Sudanese citizen detained in Guantanamo, Muhamed Noor Othman, affirms that their son is innocent and that he has no extreme leaning. The family pledges and is committed that their son will not pose any threat to the United States if he is released. 2 ) They call upon the American authorities to release him as soon as possible. 3 ) The Sudanese Judiciary system is independent and has the authority and ability to bring before courts any one who breaks the law. 4 ) The Sudanese authorities have received recently three Sudanese detainees who were released from Guantanamo (GTMO) prison. They are now living a normal life under the surveillance of the concerned Sudanese authorities. 5 ) The concerned Sudanese authorities monitor the detainees after their arrival to the Sudan and exchange information in this respect with the concerned American authorities whenever it is deemed appropriate. 6 ) The Sudanese authorities affirm that all released detainees will be treated according to the principles of international law and human rights. 7 ) The Sudanese authorities have no objection to arranging meetings for the representatives of foreign authorities with the released detainees to observe their treatment whenever needed. (End text) ¶4. (C) Ambassador al-Sanosi stated that the Sudanese Government looked forward to a response to the information provided on the status of Muhamed Noor Othman. HUME