UPDATE ON RESETTLEMENT OF TWO GUANTANAMO DETAINEES

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000530 SIPDIS STATE DEPT FOR S/GC E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PTER MARR PO SUBJECT: UPDATE ON RESETTLEMENT OF TWO GUANTANAMO DETAINEES IN PORTUGAL Classified By: POL/ECON COUNSELOR RICHARD REITER, FOR 1.4B AND D. ¶1. (C/NF) On October 7, an official with the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF),which is charged with administering the resettlement of the two Syrians transferred from Guantanamo to Portugal on August 28, provided us an update on their resettlement process. ¶2. (C/NF) The two individuals (Khantumani and Dokhan) are currently living in GOP-provided housing in the Lisbon area and are receiving a GOP living stipend. Their legal status is provided by a special category visa that prohibits their leaving Portugal without GOP permission. They are escorted at all times by agents of Portugal's domestic security service (SIS) --an arrangement to which they freely agree, says the SEF official. The SIS escorts both ensure their safety and facilitate their reintegration process and their contacts with Portuguese society. They are receiving classes in Portuguese language and culture. Overall, the Portuguese report that there have been no significant incidents and the process is going smoothly. ¶3. (C/NF) Post notes that since the flurry of local press reporting during the week of the transfer, the detainee issue has essentially disappeared from the Portuguese press. ¶4. (C/NF) Action request: Since his arrival in Portugal, Mr. Khantumani has been in touch with his attorney, who reportedly has told him that he would be allowed to contact his alleged father, Khantumani the elder, who remains in Guantanamo. Post requests Department guidance in responding to the query relayed by the Portuguese government on Mr. Khantumani's behalf, as to whether and how he can contact his "father" in Guantanamo. For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal, please see our Intelink site: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal BALLARD