TRANSFER OF GUANTANAMO DETAINEE AHMED AZIZ (ISN

S E C R E T NOUAKCHOTT 000730 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/15/2014 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER KDRG MR SUBJECT: TRANSFER OF GUANTANAMO DETAINEE AHMED AZIZ (ISN 757) REF: STATE 115878 Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.5 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) Ambassador raised the proposed transfer of Guantanamo detainee Ahmed Aziz with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Ould Sidi on November 15 and shared copies of diplomatic notes exchanged in the first detainee return in ¶2007. The Secretary General promised a later formal response but opined that the GIRM would respond favorably and would likely hope to see the transfer effected before Mauritanian Independence Day on November 28. He also agreed to verify whether there was an arrest warrant pending against Ahmed Aziz but thought not. ¶2. (S) The Secretary General called back in a few minutes to formally confirm that Mauritania would accept the detainee and would provide the necessary humane treatment and security assurances. He again urged that the transfer take place by November 28, if at all possible. Ambassador promised to relay the request but cautioned that late November might be too ambitious. ¶3. (C) Please advise whether post should proceed with the exchange of notes by making appropriate changes to the 2007 note or should post await new language. We would also appreciate knowing if a transfer of within the next two weeks would be possible in order to advise the GIRM. In the meantime, post will relay any additional information forthcoming about the existence of a Mauritanian arrest warrant. BOULWARE