ESTONIA CONSIDERING GUANTANAMO DETAINEE REQUEST

C O N F I D E N T I A L TALLINN 000215 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE FOR WAR CRIMES ISSUES CLINT WILLIAMSON AND EUR/PGI DIRECTOR NERISSA COOK E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/29/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM PINR KAWC EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA CONSIDERING GUANTANAMO DETAINEE REQUEST REF: A) STATE 36550 B) MUBANGU-ADKINS EMAIL 3/26/07 Classified By: CDA Jeff Goldstein for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (C) On March 23, we delivered (Ref A) points to Arti Hilpus, MFA Director for Security and Arms Control, on the possibility of Estonia accepting Guantanamo detainees. The issue is currently under review by the MFA's Undersecretary for Legal Affairs, who is "seriously considering" our request. However, before the MFA can officially respond, it needs additional time to review the relevant information provided by Washington (Ref B) on the detainees. ¶2. (C) Comment: Although the MFA is considering our request, it has made clear that its recommendation will hinge on the threat-level posed by the individual detainee and the level of his involvement in terrorist activities. Even if the MFA recommends accepting any detainees, we do not expect that interagency approval would happen quickly and concurrence with the MFA will not be automatic. In 2006, the interagency review board (which includes representatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Migration Board) did not approve a single refugee and/or asylum seeker case. Post will remain in close contact with the MFA as this process proceeds. End Comment. GOLDSTEIN