2007 CONTINUED DETENTION DETERMINATIONS REGARDING

C O N F I D E N T I A L KHARTOUM 000149 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR S/WCI - AMBASSADOR CLINT WILLIAMSON, CATHLEEN HARMS, SAM MUBANGU, AF/SPG, NSC FOR CHUDSON AND CCAMPONOVO E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/31/2018 TAGS: PHUM PINR PTER KDRG SU SUBJECT: 2007 CONTINUED DETENTION DETERMINATIONS REGARDING CERTAIN DETAINEES REF: A. A) 07 STATE 162344 ¶B. B) KHARTOUM 045 Classified By: CDA Alberto M. Fernandez, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) CDA Fernandez raised the issue of Guantanamo detainees Sami al-Haj (345),Mustafa Al-Hassan Mustafa Ibrahim (719), and Amir Mohammed (720) per reftels with MFA Americas Director Ambassador Abdel Al-Sanosi on January 31 after raising it earlier with Presidential Advisor Dr. Mustafa Othman Ismail (reftel b). ¶2. (C) Ambassador Al-Sanosi said that he expected that the GOS would respond with a plea to the USG before the February 29, 2008 deadline. This was especially true for the much-publicized case of Al-Jazeera cameraman Sami al-Haj, "an issue where both your government and ours are constantly pressured." Al-Sanosi added his conviction that the Sudanese Government would like to be helpful to the U.S. in solving the issue of remaining detainees that can be freed safely, commenting that "this is a win/win situation for both of us." He noted that Sudan is willing to be quite flexible to accommodate any and all American security and publicity concerns to achieve this goal in the near future. ¶3. (C) Al-Sanosi added that Sudan wanted to work quietly behind the scenes with the U.S. on the issue of detainees and would welcome any exchange "formal or informal, any time any place" with appropriate U.S. security, military or diplomatic officials on this pressing matter. FERNANDEZ