EMBASSY ASKS FOR GOA NOTIFICATION BEFORE ANY

UNCLAS KABUL 002413 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, CA/OCS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CASC PGOV AFIN PK SUBJECT: EMBASSY ASKS FOR GOA NOTIFICATION BEFORE ANY RELEASE OF MUHAMMAD AHMAD, SON OF AAFIA SIDDIQUI REF: STATE 93972 ¶1. (SBU) Polcouns telephoned MFA Senior Advisor Davood Marodian on 9/3, and urged the GOA to inform the Embassy of its timeline on releasing Muhammad Ahmad and to notify the Embassy before any release. Marodian attended FM Spanta,s 9/2 press conference where Spanta announced the GOA would release Ashan soon to his family. Marodian said the choice of the word &family8 was deliberate, to maintain some GOA flexibility on to whom it would release the boy. ¶2. (SBU) Marodian understood our points, but urged us to inform the GOA quickly of Washington guidance on how to handle the case. Marodian assured Polcouns that he would coordinate with the relevant GOA authorities to ensure no release occurs before we know Washington guidance. He would look into what if any timeline there was on a release. ¶3. (SBU) The Pakistan charge delivered a diplomatic note earlier today asserting the child was of Pakistani citizenship and requesting the child,s release to his family in Pakistan. The MFA will take no immediate action. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: The MFA is willing to help us, but it does not have custody of the boy and must rely on cooperation of other GOA agencies. We require timely Washington guidance. WOOD