Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TUNIS1110
2008-10-20 13:51:00
SECRET
Embassy Tunis
Cable title:
FM SAYS ACCESS TO FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEES NOT
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTU #1110 2941351 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 201351Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5686 INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAWJA/DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
S E C R E T TUNIS 001110
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA A/S WELCH AND L A/S BELINGER
NEA ALSO FOR GCRETZ AND NEA/MAG:MNARDI
DRL:KMCGEENEY, S/WCI:ARICCI
DEFENSE FOR DOD/OSD:ALIOTTA
JUSTICE FOR DOJ/ODAG:MSTRANSKY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM KDRG TS
SUBJECT: FM SAYS ACCESS TO FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEES NOT
POSSIBLE
REF: A. STATE 103775
B. TUNIS 1052
C. SECTO 8
Classified By: Amb. Robert F. Godec, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T TUNIS 001110
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA A/S WELCH AND L A/S BELINGER
NEA ALSO FOR GCRETZ AND NEA/MAG:MNARDI
DRL:KMCGEENEY, S/WCI:ARICCI
DEFENSE FOR DOD/OSD:ALIOTTA
JUSTICE FOR DOJ/ODAG:MSTRANSKY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM KDRG TS
SUBJECT: FM SAYS ACCESS TO FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEES NOT
POSSIBLE
REF: A. STATE 103775
B. TUNIS 1052
C. SECTO 8
Classified By: Amb. Robert F. Godec, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) During an October 18 call on Foreign Minister
Abdallah, the Ambassador asked the Minister whether the GOT
would provide the Embassy access to the two Guantanamo
detainees returned last year. Abdallah replied that he had
explained honestly the GOT point of view to NEA A/S Welch
(ref. a),and that it is very difficult to find a solution.
The Minister said that during the conversation in New York it
had been agreed that each side would reflect on the
situation. Abdallah said he did not know how the GOT could
provide access, given that Tunisian law clearly prohibits it.
Abdallah added that a "discreet" visit would be pointless
since the purpose would be to assuage NGO's and the press,
and thus would be made public. There is thus no value in a
secret visit.
2. (S) Abdallah then told the Ambassador that there should
be no concern about the treatment of detainees repatriated to
Tunisia. The FM noted that President Ben Ali had personally
promised that there would be no mistreatment. Abdallah added
that he was making the same promise. There would be no
mistreatment since there is no reason for it. Reprising
comments Ben Ali made to the Secretary, Abdallah said that in
fact the GOT would be prepared to give the detainees amnesty
except for the fact that they were terrorists.
3. (S) The Ambassador emphasized the importance that the
highest levels of the US Government place on this issue, as
was conveyed by the Secretary during her meeting with
President Ben Ali. There are more detainees that the USG
would like to return to Tunisia. Access to the two detainees
returned last year would help us resolve our concerns and
proceed. The Ambassador said that if the Foreign Minister
was saying that President Ben Ali has decided a visit is not
possible, then he would so report to Washington. At that
point Abdallah, who had avoided saying whether he had
discussed the issue with Ben Ali since meeting with A/S Welch
in New York, said that he would raise the issue with the
President "again". Abdallah then repeated his view that
there is nothing that could be done.
4. (S) Comment: It is not clear that Abdallah had in fact
raised the access question with Ben Ali since returning from
New York. Whether he will actually raise it with Ben Ali as
a result of this conversation is also not certain. More
positively, we note the Foreign Minister's reiteration of the
commitment from President Ben Ali that there will be no
mistreatment of returned detainees. We believe there are
several options on next steps in this matter, and we will
provide our views to the Department soon. End Comment.
GODEC
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA A/S WELCH AND L A/S BELINGER
NEA ALSO FOR GCRETZ AND NEA/MAG:MNARDI
DRL:KMCGEENEY, S/WCI:ARICCI
DEFENSE FOR DOD/OSD:ALIOTTA
JUSTICE FOR DOJ/ODAG:MSTRANSKY
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2018
TAGS: PREL PTER PHUM KDRG TS
SUBJECT: FM SAYS ACCESS TO FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEES NOT
POSSIBLE
REF: A. STATE 103775
B. TUNIS 1052
C. SECTO 8
Classified By: Amb. Robert F. Godec, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (S) During an October 18 call on Foreign Minister
Abdallah, the Ambassador asked the Minister whether the GOT
would provide the Embassy access to the two Guantanamo
detainees returned last year. Abdallah replied that he had
explained honestly the GOT point of view to NEA A/S Welch
(ref. a),and that it is very difficult to find a solution.
The Minister said that during the conversation in New York it
had been agreed that each side would reflect on the
situation. Abdallah said he did not know how the GOT could
provide access, given that Tunisian law clearly prohibits it.
Abdallah added that a "discreet" visit would be pointless
since the purpose would be to assuage NGO's and the press,
and thus would be made public. There is thus no value in a
secret visit.
2. (S) Abdallah then told the Ambassador that there should
be no concern about the treatment of detainees repatriated to
Tunisia. The FM noted that President Ben Ali had personally
promised that there would be no mistreatment. Abdallah added
that he was making the same promise. There would be no
mistreatment since there is no reason for it. Reprising
comments Ben Ali made to the Secretary, Abdallah said that in
fact the GOT would be prepared to give the detainees amnesty
except for the fact that they were terrorists.
3. (S) The Ambassador emphasized the importance that the
highest levels of the US Government place on this issue, as
was conveyed by the Secretary during her meeting with
President Ben Ali. There are more detainees that the USG
would like to return to Tunisia. Access to the two detainees
returned last year would help us resolve our concerns and
proceed. The Ambassador said that if the Foreign Minister
was saying that President Ben Ali has decided a visit is not
possible, then he would so report to Washington. At that
point Abdallah, who had avoided saying whether he had
discussed the issue with Ben Ali since meeting with A/S Welch
in New York, said that he would raise the issue with the
President "again". Abdallah then repeated his view that
there is nothing that could be done.
4. (S) Comment: It is not clear that Abdallah had in fact
raised the access question with Ben Ali since returning from
New York. Whether he will actually raise it with Ben Ali as
a result of this conversation is also not certain. More
positively, we note the Foreign Minister's reiteration of the
commitment from President Ben Ali that there will be no
mistreatment of returned detainees. We believe there are
several options on next steps in this matter, and we will
provide our views to the Department soon. End Comment.
GODEC