State Department cable concerning the world's perception that the US was treating its detainees improperly was undermining the moral high ground upon which the anti-terror coalition stands. The cable also gives some insight to off-record meetings the U.S. Ambassador has had with others in the diplomatic corps concerning the U.S. effort to fight international terrorism. Ambassador Dan Coats continues to give assurances that the detainees are being treated humanely and in accordance with international standards of the treatment of detainees.
ir I,
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FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5777
INFO ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY •
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
EU CANDIDATE STATES PRIORITY
EU INTEREST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BERLIN 000403
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PAGE 02 BERLIN 00403 01 OF 02 310928Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2012
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, PTER, GM
SUBJECT: GUANTANAMO DETAINEES»: THE PERCEPTION COUNTS
REF: (A) 01 BERLIN 4073 (NOTAL) (B) SECSTATE 17756
CLASSIFIED BY: POLITICAL MINISTER COUNSELOR TOM WOLFSON FOR REASONS 1.5
(B/D).
1. (C) SUMMARY: AMBASSADOR COATS' MEETING WITH A GROUP OF
NON-ARAB MUSLIM AMBASSADORS WAS DOMINATED BY THEIR CONCERNS
Current Class: CONFIDENTIAL Page: 1
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW AUTHORITY: SHARON E AHMAD
DOS-002467
DATE/CASE ID: 26 OCT 2004 200303827
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ABOUT THE «TREATMENT» OF «DETAINEES» IN GUANTANAMO BAY. THE AMBASSADORS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE PERCEPTION OF UNEQUAL OR IMPROPER «TREATMENT» WOULD UNDERMINE THE MORAL HIGH GROUND UPON WHICH THE ANTI-TERROR COALITION STANDS. THIS PERCEPTION ALSO IMPEDES THEIR OWN EFFORTS TO ENSURE CONTINUED DOMESTIC
SUPPORT FOR THE COALITION. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) AS PART OF A CONTINUING OUTREACH PROGRAM (REFTEL), THE AMBASSADOR HOSTED A LUNCHEON FOR NON-ARAB MUSLIM AMBASSADORS ON JANUARY 28 TO ELICIT THEIR COUNTRIES' VIEWS ON THE WAR AGAINST TERRORISM AND TO DISCUSS WAYS WE CAN ENHANCE COOPERATION. REPRESENTATIVES FROM/ Bl
ALL
PRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE U.S., BUT MOST STRESSED THAT THE
PERCEPTION OF HOW PRISONERS ARE BEING TREATED IN GUANTANAMO
COULD NEGATIVELY IMPACT PUBLIC OPINION BACK HOME. AMBASSADOR
COATS EXPLAINED THAT THE «DIMMLINEES» WERE BEING TREATED
HUMANELY AND IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH INTERNATIONAL LEGAL
NORMS. HE ADDED THAT
3. (C) THE ISLAMIC AMBASSADORS REPLIED THAT, REGARDLESS OF THE FACTUAL DETAILS OR THE QUESTION OF STATUS, THE PREVAILING PERCEPTION IN THEIR COUNTRIES IS THAT THE «DETAINEES» ARE NOT BEING AFFORDED PROPER «TREAIMMWT» CONSISTENT WITH EITHER THE GENEVA CONVENTION OR THE «UNITED» «STATES»' OWN LEGAL TRADITION. THIS PERCEPTION, THEY CAUTIONED, COULD UNDERMINE THEIR COUNTRIES' ABILITY TO SUPPORT FUTURE COALITION EFFORTS. THE
U.S. SHOULD MAINTAIN THE MORAL HIGH GROUND.
4. (C) SEVERAL AMBASSADORS EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE
PICTURES FROM GUANTANAMO HAD LEFT THE IMPRESSION THAT
AMERICAN IDEAS OF JUSTICE APPLIED ONLY TO U.S. CITIZENS.
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5FE568 310929 Z /38
P 310911Z JAN 02
FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5778
INFO ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS PRIORITY
EU CANDIDATE STATES PRIORITY
EU INTEREST COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
EU MEMBER STATES PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY
USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
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CONFIDENTIALSECTION 02 OF 02 BERLIN 000403
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PAGE 02 BERLIN 00403 02 OF 02 310928Z
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/28/2012
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, PTER, GM
. SUBJECT: GUANTANAMO DETAINEES: THE PERCEPTION COUNTS
. (C) COMMENT:
COATS
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UNCLASSIFIED DOS-002470