TRANSFER OF GUANTANAMO DETAINEE AHMED AZIZ (ISN 757)

S E C R E T STATE 115878 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2019 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL PTER KDRG MR SUBJECT: TRANSFER OF GUANTANAMO DETAINEE AHMED AZIZ (ISN 757) REF: 07 NOUAKCHOTT 0701 Classified by S/GC Deputy Anthony Ricci for Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d). 1.(U) This is an action request. Please see paras 5-7. 2.(C) On October 28, Mauritanian national Ahmed Aziz was approved for transfer from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Mauritania. Based on discussions with his legal counsel, it appears that Aziz has expressed a desire to return to Mauritania. 3.(S) The Mauritanian government may be familiar with Aziz and his case. However, as needed, Embassy may employ the general background included in the below talking points during discussions with government interlocutors. The Department will also arrange to provide a classified dossier on Aziz prior for release to the GIRM prior to the transfer. 4.(C) The last transfer to Mauritania occurred on September 26, 2007 (Abdullah Edah, ISN 706). Prior to the transfer, the GIRM conveyed to Post a diplomatic note detailing assurances of humane treatment and security measures it would undertake to mitigate any threat posed by Edah (reftel). We believe the assurances contained in that dip note remain sufficient to allow the transfer of Aziz, should the GIRM be willing to apply them to this transfer. 5.(S) ACTION REQUEST: Post should approach the GIRM to inform it that Aziz has been approved for transfer to Mauritania, and ascertain if the GIRM is willing to receive him. The current government may not be aware of the 2007 diplomatic note or the humane treatment and security assurances outlined in the text. It should therefore be shared with the GIRM for review. 6.(S/REL) Post should draw from the points below in its approach to the GIRM. (BEGIN POINTS) --The USG approved on October 28 Mauritanian national Ahmed Aziz for transfer from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility to Mauritania. -We anticipate transferring Aziz to the exclusive custoday and control of the Government of Mauritania and we would like to confirm that your government is willing to receive him. --As you may be aware, Abdullah Edah was transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Mauritania in September 2007. His transfer was carried out after our two countries exchanged diplomatic notes containing agreed assurances by the Government of Mauritania regarding humane treatment upon return of the detainee, and security measures to be undertaken to mitigate any potential threat that the detainee may pose. --We would like you to review these assurances and to inform us of your willingness to apply them to the transfer of Aziz, perhaps by exchanging new diplomatic notes to this effect. --We will arrange to provide a dossier on Aziz prior to his transfer that will contain information we have learned about his background and activities. --We understand that a warrant for the arrest of Aziz may have been issued in 1999. If there is such a warrant, do you anticpate it benig acted upon? (BEGIN GENERAL BACKGROUND POINTS) --Aziz was born in 1970 in Atar, Mauritania. In 1999, Aziz fled Mauritania to Afghanistan and later to Pakistan. --While in Pakistan, Aziz married an Indian citizen and resided there with her until he was detaineed in June 2002. --While in Afghanistan, Aziz was associated with an Islamic charity with connections to Al Qaida. --While in Mauritania, Aziz was likely associated with the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG),which had facilitated his travel to Afghanistan. 7.(U) The Department requests Post report on the outcome of this meeting by November 17, 2009. CLINTON