RESPONDING TO GOF REQUEST TO CO-SPONSOR LISTING

S E C R E T STATE 031244 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017 TAGS: EFIN FR KTFN PREL PTER SUBJECT: RESPONDING TO GOF REQUEST TO CO-SPONSOR LISTING OF KSM UNDER UNSCR 1267 REF: TESSLER-CROWE E-MAIL Classified By: IO PDAS James B. Warlick, Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request for USUN and Embassy Paris. See paragraph 3. ¶2. (S) Summary: France is considering whether or not to request a listing of detained senior al-Qaida leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) under UNSCR 1267.(Ref) KSM, considered the "principal architect of the 9/11 attacks," is currently detained in the U.S. detention center in Guantanamo Bay. According to the French Mission, the EU Clearinghouse recently approved inclusion of KSM on the EU terrorism list, and the French would also like to add him to the UN's 1267 Consolidated List. The French have asked if the USG would consider co-sponsoring the designation. End Summary ¶3. (C) Objectives and Action Request: The USG has already designated KSM domestically and would like to convey full support for his listing under 1267. Department instructs USUN to inform the French Mission at the appropriate level by March 15 of our positive decision to co-sponsor. Embassy Paris should reiterate this message in capital, likewise at the appropriate level. ¶4. (U) Point of Contact: Questions may be directed to IO/PSC (Erin Crowe, 202-736-7847). RICE