US embassy cable - 04COLOMBO1572

S E C R E T COLOMBO 001572 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
 
FROM THE AMBASSADOR 
STATE FOR SA/INS AND S/WCI LTC MILLER 
SECDEF FOR SOL/LIC ASD OICONNELL 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/20/2014 
TAGS: PREL, PINS, PTER, MOPS, PHUM, PINR, MV, Human Rights, Maldives 
SUBJECT: STATUS OF MALDIVIAN GUANTANAMO DETAINEE IBRAHIM 
FOWZY 
 
REF: COLOMBO 883 
 
Classified By: AMB. JEFFREY J. LUNSTEAD.  REASON:  1.4 (B,D). 
 
1.  (S/NF) I hope to travel to Maldives in early October to 
meet with President Gayoom.  My two main points will be to 
urge continued democratic reform and to express our hope that 
political detainees arrested since the August 12-13 
disturbances are being well treated.  In order to enhance my 
credibility with Gayoom, I would greatly appreciate guidance 
on what I can share with him regarding the status of 
Maldivian Guantanamo detainee Ibrahim Fowzy. 
 
2.  (S/NF) As we reviewed in reftel, Maldivian security 
officials traveled to Guantanamo, with our assistance, over a 
year ago and interviewed Fowzy at length.  After running down 
several aspects of what Fowzy related in that interview, 
Maldivian authorities are satisfied that Mr. Fowzy does not 
pose a serious threat.  They have told us they would keep him 
under close watch after his return and share any relevant 
information with us.  Maldives is a moderate Muslim country 
well-disposed to the United States and supportive in the 
global war on terrorism.  Sorting out Mr. Fowzy's status 
would pay great dividends. 
 
3.  (S/NF)  In addition, I have just received a letter from 
the Chairman of the nascent Human Rights Commission of 
Maldives citing "information" that a "considerable number of 
detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba has been sent back to 
Pakistan, among them some non Pakistanis" and asking for 
clarification as to whether Fowzy has been sent to Pakistan. 
 
4.  (S/NF) We understand that Fowzy's case has been moving 
through the interagency process and may be close to 
resolution.  If that process can be finished before I travel 
to Maldives and meet President Gayoom, that would be ideal. 
 
LUNSTEAD