MINISTER OF INTERIOR AL-BULANI RECEPTIVE TO RETURN

S E C R E T BAGHDAD 003272 SIPDIS STATE FOR S/WCI, NEA/I, NEA/PM, NEA-I/PM E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/08/2018 TAGS: PREL PTER PGOV PHUM PINR IZ US SUBJECT: MINISTER OF INTERIOR AL-BULANI RECEPTIVE TO RETURN OF GUANTANAMO DETAINEES; REQUESTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REF: STATE 100598 Classified By: Political Military Minister Counselor Michael C. Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 1.(U) This is an action request: Please see para. 6. 2.(S) SUMMARY. Minister of Interior al-Bulani expressed his willingness October 6 to work with the USG regarding the return of Iraqi detainees in USG custody at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO). This would not be a unilateral effort by the Ministry, but rather a coordinated effort by the Government of Iraq (GOI). The Minister agreed in principle to the concept that assurances must be provided by the GOI before we transfer detainees from GTMO, but requested additional identifying information on the detainees. He said that Iraq sought to determine what information it had on the four before proceeding and asked for photographs and fingerprints on the four as soon as possible. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (S) During a meeting with PolMil MinCouns October 6, Minister of Interior Jawad al-Bulani was receptive to the USG initiative to return four Iraqi detainees from GTMO (reftel). PolMil MinCouns informed the Minister that the USG viewed the cases against the Iraqi detainees as security and humanitarian matters and that continued detention in Iraq was not required nor requested. Minister al-Bulani agreed in principle to the concept of the GOI providing security and humanitarian assurances requested by the USG before transfer could commence. ¶4. (S) Minister al-Bulani told PolMil MinCouns that he was looking forward to cooperating with the USG on this issue and related the situation to the many Iraqi security detainees currently being held in MNF-I detention facilities in Iraq. He suggested perhaps a memorandum of understanding between the two governments, or some other agreement (possibly between the Department of Homeland Security and the MOI),to deal with the return of the four detainees. PolMil MinCouns noted that the exchange of assurances could serve as the agreement. ¶5. (S) The Minister stated that detainee issues have both security and a legal aspects and said he would work with other ministries involved including the MOJ and others, to address the issue, and that the inclusion of legal subject matter experts was important. He welcomed the information (REFTEL) on the cases for the four but said that before going forward, he needed additional identifying information, including fingerprints and photos, to investigate their identity and past activities in Iraq. ¶6. (S) COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST: Minister al-Bulani appeared willing to move quickly on the four Iraqi detainees once he has determined if Iraq has any information on them. He will not act unilaterally, and will consult with the GOI before proceeding. We prefer to not provide the language on assurances until we get a clear idea of how the GOI intends to handle the cases (for example if it intends to pursue cases against any of them). We request that the additional identifying information requested by al-Bulani be forwarded to Post immediately so we may press forward on this subject. END COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST. CROCKER