FRANCE OPEN TO EXAMINING SIX NEW GUANTANAMO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PARIS 000933 NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/07/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PTER FR SUBJECT: FRANCE OPEN TO EXAMINING SIX NEW GUANTANAMO DETAINEE FILES PARIS 00000933 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: Classified by Pol M/C Allegrone for Reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C/NF) Summary: In a July 2 meeting with Eric Chevallier, Special Advisor to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Dan Fried, Special Envoy for Closure of the Guantanamo Detention Facility (S/GC),summarized the results of his efforts to negotiate the resettlement of Guantanamo detainees and thanked France for agreeing to consider six new detainee files. Chevallier stressed that France would review the cases in a positive light. Speaking on instruction, he also said that France would not be able to respond until more is known about the attitude of Congress toward accepting detainees on U.S. soil. Chevallier agreed that a favorable decision allowing the resettlement of Guantanamo detainees in the United States is not a "pre-condition" but characterized it as extremely important and not far from being a pre-condition. He also noted that establishing a good precedent with Schengen members by providing France with information to share on the previously transferred detainee Boumediene would likely assist the process for obtaining Schengen visas in other detainee resettlements in Europe. ¶2. (SBU) Chevallier was joined by Deputy Director of the Foreign Minister's Office, Michele Boccoz; MFA Deputy Director for the Office of Transnational Threats, Martin Julliard; MFA Assistant secretary-equivalent for International Organizations, Sylvie Bermann; Deputy Assistant secretary-equivalent for Human Rights, Jacques Pellet; Deputy Director for the North Americas Office, Bernard Regnauld-Fabre; and External Relations for the European Union desk officer, Fatih Akcal. Charge Pekala, Pol/Min Counselor and note taker also attended. End Summary. Six New Detainee Files: Potential Impact of U.S. Decisions -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C/NF) S/E Fried introduced the dossiers of six detainees that the U.S. would like France to consider taking, pointing out that several of them have court-ordered releases and noting that we have presented some of the cases to other European governments. Chevallier expressed appreciation for the new information and assured Fried that, following the Obama-Sarkozy meeting in June and the resettlement in May of Algerian Lakdar Boumediene, France will look at the files in a positive light. However, speaking on instruction, he cautioned that France will not be able to provide an answer until more is known about the attitude of Congress toward accepting some of the detainees on U.S. soil. A positive decision by Congress, Chevallier continued, would boost the prospects for selling detainee resettlement to the French public and to other European countries. When pressed by Fried, Chevallier responded that the congressional decision is not a "pre-condition," but also said "it is not far from that." He emphasized that the U.S. decision "is part of France,s political assessment" and "is extremely important" to France,s final decision. At the same time, Chevallier confirmed that France would not intervene negatively in U.S. discussions with other countries, for example, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, that are moving ahead with resettlement. In closing discussions on the files,Fried suggested French officials visit Guantanamo to interview the detainees and talk to the defense lawyers to inform their decision and aid in the selection of future candidates and to make any requests for further information through intelligence liaison. Request to Share Boumediene's File with Schengen Partners -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C/NF) Chevallier confirmed that Schengen partner states now have to share the files of detainees with their Schengen partners per the agreed EU framework. If no state opposes, a Schengen visa will be issued; however, if one or more partner states oppose, then only a national visa can be granted. Refusal to grant a Schengen visa would also have an impact on the social services and type of residence status offered to former detainees. Chevallier would like Boumediene to be the first test case, as he is a lower risk detainee. Fried agreed to provide a revised file that can be shared with EU partners. Chevallier regretted the EU decision to put this issue under the purview of Interior Ministers, saying it would have been easier to manage under Foreign Ministers. Fried concluded his discussion with Chevallier by noting that U.S. procedures in detainee transfers have changed somewhat. New congressional legislation now requires notification of transfer 15 days in advance and notification of the transfer arrangements. The U.S. plans to meet this requirement in the future through an exchange of diplomatic notes. ¶5. (C/NF) Chevallier,s expert on this issue, Martin Julliard, asked about the financial payments the U.S. is PARIS 00000933 002.2 OF 002 providing to Bermuda and Palau upon their acceptance of the Uighur detainees. Fried clarified that U.S. funds are intended to cover reimbursable expenses only and are minimal. Julliard said that his office has been monitoring French public opinion on the resettlement of Boumediene and cited the use of tax money for detainee resettlement as one of the top three concerns. Fried made no commitment, but said he would be willing to discuss this further if it becomes necessary symbolically for France. ¶6. (C/NF) Comment: French authorities remain proud of their lead role in opening the way to resettlement of some detainees in Europe and are committed to looking favorably at the six new detainee files. However, a U.S. decision to accept or reject taking detainees on U.S. soil is clearly part of the calculation as they also assess French domestic reaction to resettlement. PEKALA