ACTION REQUEST: DIPNOTE ON AMCIT HIKER CASES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 130338

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/21/2019
TAGS: CASC IR MOPS PGOV PHUM PREL PROP
SUBJECT: ACTION REQUEST: DIPNOTE ON AMCIT HIKER CASES

Classified By: Deputy Secretary Steinberg for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (U) This is an action request for Embassy Damascus.
Please see paragraph 3.


2. (C) The Department directs Charg to deliver as soon as
possible the diplomatic note in paragraph 3 to the Chief of
Staff of Syrian Vice Foreign Minister Faisal Miqdad to
request assistance in urging the Iranian government to
release three American citizens: Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd,
and Josh Fattal, who have been detained without formal
charges since July 31, 2009 when they were hiking near the
Iranian-Iraqi border. The same diplomatic note was delivered
to the Syrian Ambassador to the United States Dr. Imad
Moustapha on December 22.

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Diplomatic Note
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3. (U) BEGIN DIPNOTE.

His Excellency
Ambassador Faisal Miqdad,
Vice Foreign Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Excellency:

I have the honor to request your assistance regarding the
cases of Mr. Joshua Fattal, Mr. Shane Bauer, and Ms. Sarah
Shourd, American nationals who were detained by Iranian
authorities on July 31, 2009, after accidentally crossing the
border from Iraq while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan. Prior to
their detention in Iran, Mr. Bauer and Ms. Shourd had been
living in Damascus since late 2008. Mr. Bauer was a student
of Arabic; Ms. Shourd was teaching English and learning
Arabic. Mr. Fattal was visiting his friends in Syria at the
time of the group's hiking vacation.

The Swiss Ambassador to Iran has been granted consular access
on two occasions; the last visit was on October 29, 2009.
The Swiss Ambassador and the Swiss Protecting Power continue
to follow up with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
with little success, despite repeated requests, for the three
hikers to contact their families and for additional consular
visits. Although the Iranian government has confirmed that
the three hikers are charged with illegal entry, we have
received no further details on the status of their case.

I have the further honor to ask your assistance in urging
Iran's leadership to release these three U.S. citizens
without further delay, as a humanitarian gesture. Our goal
is to ensure their safe return to the United States as
quickly as possible so that they can be reunited with their
families.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest
consideration.

For the Secretary of State:


END DIPNOTE.

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Additional Background for Post
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4. (C) On July 31, Iranian authorities detained Shane Bauer,
Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal while hiking near the Iraq/Iran
border. On August 11, the Swiss Ambassador to Iran received
confirmation by phone of the detention of three American
hikers from the Iranian Vice Minister for Europe, and was
granted consular access on two occasions, September 29 and
October 29. The Swiss Ambassador and SPP continue to follow
up with the MFA and the Iranian Mission in Bern with little
success despite repeated requests for the three hikers to
contact their loved ones and for additional consular visits.
Having given the Iranian government time to resolve the case
quietly, the families are now publicizing their concerns
about their children's welfare and have enlisted
Congressional, Executive, and Foreign Mission support.

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Reporting Requirement
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5. (U) Post is instructed to report any reaction to this

STATE 00130338 002 OF 002


diplomatic note by January 8.


6. (U) Department POCs for follow-up are: Brianne Marwaha,
NEA/IR, 202-647-2569, MarwahaBC@State.gov; Stephanie L.
Hallett, NEA/IR, 202-647-2498, HallettSL@State.gov; and
Carolee Walker, CA/OCS/ACS/NESCA, 202-647-4997,
WalkerCB@State.gov


7. (U) Department thanks post for its assistance. Please
slug any response for NEA/IR, CA, P, and the NSC.
CLINTON