GUANTANAMO REVIEW TASK FORCE DETERMINATION FOR TWO

S E C R E T KUALA LUMPUR 000124 SIPDIS FOR S/GC AND EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/23/2020 TAGS: PREL PTER KDRG MY SUBJECT: GUANTANAMO REVIEW TASK FORCE DETERMINATION FOR TWO MALAYSIANS REF: STATE 15539 -- GUANTANAMO REVIEW OF TWO MALAYSIANS Classified By: Political Counselor Brian D. McFeeters for reasons 1.4 b and d. (S) Due to unavailability of more senior officials at the MFA, reftel demarche points were conveyed by Poloff to Mr. Muhammad Radzi Jamaludin, Principal Assistant Secretary for U.S affairs, on February 23. Radzi appreciated being briefed on the status of the two Malaysian nationals, but expressed disappointment with the decision to refer them for prosecution, noting that on several occasions high-level officials in his government, to include Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, had requested that they be turned over to his government. Radzi expressed concern about the outcome of the trial, but said that he didn't believe Malaysia would seek to send counsel or provide any other legal assistance to the two. Radzi assured Poloff that the reftel points would be passed up to higher levels in the MFA and elsewhere within the Malaysian government, as appropriate. (Note: Post is briefing the PM's office on this issue, and the demarche points are also being shared through liaison channels. End note) KEITH