US embassy cable - 05PARIS1797

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARIS 001797 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR S/WCI, EUR/WE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/16/2015 
TAGS: PTER, KAWC, PINR, PREL, FR 
SUBJECT: FRANCE: INTERAGENCY BRIEFING TEAM ON GUANTANAMO 
ISSUES 
 
REF: A. STATE 45507 
 
     B. PARIS 1711 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Howard Leach, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). 
 
(C) Post read with interest ref A proposal to send an 
interagency briefing team on Guantanamo issues to France, and 
respectfully declines the offer for the team to visit France. 
 We point out that the last of the French detainees in 
Guantanamo were recently returned to French custody (ref B). 
Six of the seven ex-Guantanamo detainees have been accused of 
"terrorist conspiracy" by French prosecutors, and cases 
against them are currently being developed.  Public attention 
has swung away from Guantanamo and towards the French 
judicial prosecutions of these ex-Guantanamo detainees.  To 
refocus French government and public attention back towards 
Guantanamo would, in our opinion, not be helpful at this 
point.  It might also risk negative effects on GOF 
prosecutions of the six ex-Guantanamo detainees.  In France, 
as elsewhere, claims of abuse have been made by the returned 
detainees; however, it is Post's opinion that the situation 
currently favors addressing any allegations that may generate 
significant attention on a case-by-case basis.  For purposes 
of responding to media inquiries, Post would welcome prepared 
briefing documents outlining USG policies.  Media interest 
for the moment is slight, but should this change, Post would 
appreciate having State and DOD contacts for a possible DVC 
(Digital Video Conference) briefing. 
Leach