Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BAGHDAD3272
2008-10-10 03:02:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
MINISTER OF INTERIOR AL-BULANI RECEPTIVE TO RETURN
how-toVZCZCXRO2790 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #3272 2840302 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 100302Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9884 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
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)
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
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