KIRIBATI CABINET AGREES TO OFFER ASYLUM TO UIGHURS

S E C R E T SUVA 000475 E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2018 TAGS: PHUM PTER PREL PINR KDRG FJ SUBJECT: KIRIBATI CABINET AGREES TO OFFER ASYLUM TO UIGHURS REF: STATE 133238 Classified By: Ambassador C. Steven McGann for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) On December 20, Embassy delivered points reftel to Kiribati Foreign Secretary Tessie Lambourne. Embassy also forwarded a cover note in conjunction with the non-paper. The Kiribati cabinet had not been privy to earlier discussions between governments. Embassy wanted to help President Tong address concerns - both domestic and international - that there was a "quid pro quo" for accepting the Uighurs. ¶2. (S) Embassy emphasized that the 1979 Treaty of Friendship between the United States and Kiribati was the underlying principle of our cooperation; the core package was not predicated on the arrival of any Uighurs; the U.S. would pay resettlement costs as instructed; and the potential repairs to Cassidy Airport (Kirimati Island) were subject to our internal guidelines. The additional note aided President Tong in deliberations with his cabinet. ¶3. (S) On December 22, 2008 Foreign Secretary Tessie Lambourne informed Ambassador McGann that the "Kiribati cabinet has agreed in principle to accept the Uighur detainees, subject to further consultations and agreements on the details." Today's decision was also made on the understanding that the U.S. will meet all costs related to the resettlement process. Ambassador McGann thanked Secretary Lambourne for Kiribati's willingness to assist the United States. ¶4. (S) The following is the formal government of Kiribati response to the United States request to grant asylum to the Uighurs: Begin text: FAI:13/4/411 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of the Republic of Kiribati presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in Suva, Fiji, and has the honour to acknowledge receipt of the Embassy's Note No. 56 dated 12 December 2008, relating to the release and resettlement in Kiribati of up to 17 persons of Uighur ethnicity ("the detainees") who are currently in the custody of the Government of the United States of America at the U.S. Naval facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The Ministry has the further honour to refer to further discussions between the Governments of Kiribati and the United States of America held in Tarawa between 16 and 19 December 2008, regarding the detainees. The Ministry confirms that the Government of Kiribati agrees in principle to receive for resettlement any of the detainees who are willing to be resettled in Kiribati, subject to further consultations and agreement between the two Governments on the details of the resettlement such as timing, modalities and logistics. This is based on the understanding that all costs of the resettlement will be met by the Government of the United States of America. The Ministry further confirms that, while Kiribati is not a State Party to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Government of Kiribati is prepared to abide by the obligations imposed upon States Parties to the convention in its dealings with the detainees. The Ministry also confirms that the Government of Kiribati will not subsequently transfer a released person to the custody and control of the Government of the People's Republic of China. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America in Suva, Fiji, the assurances of its highest consideration. Bairiki Tarawa 22nd December 2008 End text. MCGANN