Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07STATE163961
2007-12-05 23:26:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

LIBYA: FOLLOW-UP ON DETAINEES AND THE GOL'S REQUEST TO VISIT

Tags:  PTER PREL PHUM PINS LY 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4797
OO RUEHTRO
DE RUEHC #3961/01 3392344
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
O 052326Z DEC 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 7288
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 163961 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2022
TAGS: PTER PREL PHUM PINS LY
SUBJECT: LIBYA: FOLLOW-UP ON DETAINEES AND THE GOL'S REQUEST TO VISIT
GUANTANAMO

REF:A) S/WCI-GODFREY MTG ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
B) STATE 135205
C) STATE 127608
D) STATE 151118
E) GODFREY EMAIL RECEIVED NOVEMBER 6, 2007
F) TRIPOLI 943

Classified by NEA/MAG Director Elizabeth Hopkins for reasons 1.4(b)
and (d).

SUMMARY
-------

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 163961

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, NOFORN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2022
TAGS: PTER PREL PHUM PINS LY
SUBJECT: LIBYA: FOLLOW-UP ON DETAINEES AND THE GOL'S REQUEST TO VISIT
GUANTANAMO

REF:A) S/WCI-GODFREY MTG ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
B) STATE 135205
C) STATE 127608
D) STATE 151118
E) GODFREY EMAIL RECEIVED NOVEMBER 6, 2007
F) TRIPOLI 943

Classified by NEA/MAG Director Elizabeth Hopkins for reasons 1.4(b)
and (d).

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (S/NF) Department requests that Post continue to seek additional
information regarding returned Libyan detainee Muhammad Abdallah
Mansur al-Rimi's (ISN 194) injuries and ongoing treatment in the
GOL's custody. DoD confirms that the detainee did not sustain the
arm injury at Guantanamo, as the GOL reports that al-Rimi has
claimed. Department also seeks information regarding the welfare and
whereabouts of returned Libyan detainee Ben Qumu Abu Sufian Ibrahim
Ahmed Hamouda (ISN 557) and access to Mr. Hamouda. See action
requests at paragraph six. End summary.

OBJECTIVES
--------------


2. (S/REL LIBYA) Department instructs Embassy to pursue the following
objectives:

-- Continue to seek access to al-Rimi in order to clarify the nature
and extent of his injuries and to ensure that his current and future
treatment comply with the assurances the GOL provided;

-- Verify Hamouda's welfare and whereabouts since his return to
Libya;

--Emphasize that it is very important for the GOL to abide by the
humane treatment assurances it provided to the United States; and

--Inform the GOL that the USG will not consider the GOL's request for
Guantanamo access until the circumstances of al-Rimi's injuries are
confirmed through direct access and the USG gains access to Mr.
Hamouda.

REPORTING DEADLINE
--------------


3. Embassy should report results of efforts by cable to Jason S.
Gorey before December 21.

BACKGROUND
--------------


4. (S/NF) In response to post's inquiry about returned detainee
al-Rimi's arm injury, the GOL stated that al-Rimi told the GOL the
injury occurred at Guantanamo (ref F). DoD has no record of such an
injury occuring prior to al-Rimi's transfer to Libya, which suggests

that the injury occurred while al-Rimi was in the GOL's custody. As
a result, the PCC on Detainees currently is not considering the
transfer to Libya of any additional detainees who do not express a
desire to return.


5. (S/NF) During a November 1, 2007 meeting with MFA Americas Affairs
head Ahmed Fituri (ref F),CDA reiterated Post's request for timely
access to al-Rimi and Hamouda. To-date, no access has been provided.


6. (S/NF) It is incumbent upon the USG to continue to monitor
al-Rimi's treatment in detention while we believe he continues to be
at risk. We should therefore insist that the GOL abide by its
assurances, including access to transferees, noting that the USG is
concerned about al-Rimi's injuries, the medical treatment which he is
receiving for those injuries, and our ability to enjoy continued
access to him pursuant to the access assurances the GOL provided in
the USG-GOL detainee transfer framework MOU.


7. (S/NF) We should leverage, as appropriate, the GOL's interest in
discussing future transfers and its desire to visit other Libyans
detained at Guantanamo to encourage the GOL to be forthcoming with
respect to al-Rimi's injuries, his treatment, and access to him. We
should explicitly state that no consideration will be given to the
GOL's request to visit Guantanamo until access to al-Rimi is
facilitated. We should underscore that we regard the GOL's humane
treatment assurances as a significant bilateral commitment, and that
it is very important for Libya to treat transferees humanely in
accordance with those assurances.


8. (S/NF) It is also incumbent upon the USG to verify the welfare and
whereabouts of Hamouda since his return to Libya on September 29,

STATE 00163961 002 OF 002



2007. The specific circumstances surrounding his repatriation,
including its voluntary nature, allowed us to proceed with the
transfer consistent with the USG's humane treatment policy.
Nevertheless, we are concerned about the GOL's willingness to abide
by the previously provided assurances, which apply to Hamouda's
treatment after repatriation. Hamouda's U.S. counsel recently
contacted the Department of Justice and expressed concern that they
are unable to locate him either through family or NGO contacts. NGO
and congressional interest in his case are likely to increase if his
welfare and whereabouts cannot be determined. We should therefore
make every effort to get clarity on his situation, including gaining
access to Mr. Hamouda.

POINT OF CONTACT
--------------


9. Please contact Jason S. Gorey at (202) 647-8219 or via e-mail for
any necessary additional background information or argumentation to
meet our objectives.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
--------------


10. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
RICE