State Department cable for reporters questions on mtters such as: i) Israel/Palestinians: Upcoming Quartet Meeting; ii) Violence in the Mid-East Region; iii) Algeria; and iv) Access to Guantanamo Detainees. On the Guantanamo detainee issue the guidance is to say: "All detainees are being treated humanely in a manner consistent with the Third Geneva Convention of 1949; They receive adequate food; shelter; medical care; and the opportunity to worship. Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have privately visited the persons held at Guantanamo on a regular basis.
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ORIGIN NEA-00
NP-00 A-00 USNW-00
DODE-00 WHA-00 MEDE-00 EAP-00 •EUR-00
INFO LOG-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
DS-00 EB-00
FBIE-00 UTED-00 VC-00 TEDE-00 INR-00
H-01 I0-00
L-00 VCE-00 M-00 NSAE-00 OIC-02
DCP-01 OIG-03
CAEX-01 PA-00 IRM-00 TEST-00
P-00 SS-00 TRSE-00
USIE-00 SA-00 EPAE-00 DSCC-00 PRM-00
-R-00 IIP-00
DRL-02 /010R
SAS-00
262908
SOURCE: CBLEXCLS.004784
DRAFTED BY: NEA/PPD:GSULLIVAN -- 12/20/2002 202-647-7864
APPROVED BY: NEA/PPD:GSULLIVAN
H:JLANDE-2, NEA-15, P:TLENDERKING, IO/ACU, DRL-2, PRM-1
1B0C38 201916Z /38
0 201907Z DEC 02
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL NEAR EAST IMMEDIATE
ALL NEAR EASTERN AND SOUTH ASIAN DIPLOMATIC POSTS IMMEDIATE
EUROPEAN POLAD COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY DOHA IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY WARSAW IMMEDIATE
WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0000
'USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA IMMEDIATE
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
CTF OPERATION NORTHERN WATCH INCIRLIK AB TU IMMEDIATE
AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY
AMCONSUL ADANA PRIORITY
AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY
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CENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
USCINCPAC HONOLULU PRIORITY
ALL EUROPEAN DIPLOMATIC POSTS PRIORITY
UNCLAS STATE 262908
1) INFORM CONSULS-PASS PAOS-MILITARY ALSO FOR POLAD 2) EMBASSY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IS, KPAO, OPRC, PREL, XF
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW AUTHORITY: SHARON E AHMAD
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DATE/CASE ID: 18 OCT 2004 200303827
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SUBJECT: NEA PRESS GUIDANCE 12/20/02
LONDON PLEASE PASS TO POLITICAL OFFICER ETHAN A. GOLDRICH
THE FOLLOWING GUIDANCE IS PROVIDED FOR POST'S INFORMATION:
1) ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS: UPCOMING QUARTET MEETING & VIOLENCE
IN THE REGION
QUARTET MEETING & ROADMAP
Q: WHAT MORE CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT. THE ROADMAP AND THE
DECEMBER 20TH QUARTET MEETING? IS THERE DISPLEASURE AMONG
THE OTHER MEMBERS WITH THE QUARTET REGARDING YOUR DECISION
NOT TO ISSUE THE ROADMAP?
WE CONTINUE TO PREPARE FOR THE QUARTET THE SECRETARY IS
HOSTING HERE AT THE DEPARTMENT TODAY, AND OUR FOCUS REMAINS
ON MOVING FORWARD IN A WAY THAT MAKES POSSIBLE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE PRESIDENT'S JUNE 24TH VISION OF TWO STATES - ISRAEL •
AND PALESTINE - LIVING SIDE-BY-SIDE IN PEACE AND SECURITY.
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AS THE SECRETARY NOTED EARLIER THIS WEEK, "BECAUSE OF
THE ISRAELI ELECTION(AND BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF ISSUES
THAT ARE BEFORE THE ISRAELI PUBLIC RIGHT NOW, WE THINK IT
WOULD BE WISER IN THIS INSTANCE FOR US TO CONTINUE WORK ON
THE ROADMAP AND WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE ISRAELI ELECTION IS
OVER. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WEEKS UNTIL THAT IS RESOLVED,
AND THEN WE WILL ENGAGE WITH ALL THE PARTIES IN THE REGION
WITH RESPECT TO A ROADMAP IF WE HAVE COMPLETE AGREEMENT ON
THE ELEMENTS OF THE ROADMAP, AT LEAST WITHIN THE QUARTET AT
THAT TIME."
THE ROADMAP IS BASED ON RELEVANT U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTIONS, THE PRESIDENT'S JUNE 24TH SPEECH, AND THE
SAUDI/ARAB LEAGUE BEIRUT SUMMIT INITIATIVE, AND WOULD SEEK TO
INCORPORATE THE MADRID "TERMS OF REFERENCE" AND PREVIOUS
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES. THIS APPROACH WOULD CLEARLY
LAY OUT OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ON ALL SIDES, WOULD
BE CLEARLY PERFORMANCE-BASED RATHER THAN TIME-ORIENTED, AND
'IS AIMED AT A COMPREHENSIVE PEACE WITH "SECURITY FOR ALL
STATES OF THE REGION" AS CALLED FOR IN THE BEIRUT SUMMIT
DECLARATION. AS THESE DISCUSSIONS PROGRESS, WE WILL CONSIDER
CLOSELY THE PRACTICAL NEXT STEPS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE
PRESIDENT'S JUNE 24TH VISION THAT REMAINS AT THE CORE OF OUR
PEACEMAKING EFFORTS.
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EVERYTHING WE ARE DOING ON THE ROADMAP IS AIMED AT
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRESIDENT'S JUNE 24TH VISION, AND WE
WILL CONTINUE TO FINALIZE THE ELEMENTS OF THE ROADMAP
TOGETHER WITH THE PARTIES AND OUR QUARTET PARTNERS. WE WILL
CONTINUE TO ASSESS CLOSELY THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND AND
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HOW BEST TO PROCEED, PARTICULARLY GIVEN THE UPCOMING ISRAELI
ELECTIONS.
MANTRA ON VIOLENCE & ISRAELI MILITARY ACTIONS
Q: WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE RECENT PALESTINIAN VIOLENCE
AND ISRAELI MILITARY ACTIONS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN NUMEROUS
CIVILIAN CASUALTIES?
WE ARE DEEPLY TROUBLED BY UPSURGE IN VIOLENCE IN THE
REGION, INCLUDING THE KILLING OF AN 11-YEAR OLD PALESTINIAN
GIRL IN GAZA YESTERDAY AND THE KILLING BY GUNMEN OF A RABBI
IN GAZA EARLIER TODAY. THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSE FOR THE
VIOLENCE AND TERRORIST ATTACKS THE ISRAELI PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
FORCED TO ENDURE, AND WE ARE PRESSING THE PALESTINIANS TO DO
ALL THEY CAN TO END THE TERROR AND VIOLENCE IMMEDIATELY AND
WORK TO RESTORE ACTIVE SECURITY CONTACTS TO DISMANTLE THE
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS TERROR AND VIOLENCE.
AS THE SECRETARY DID IN HIS MEETING WITH DEFENCE
MINISTER MOFAZ EARLIER THIS WEEK, WE CONTINUE TO URGE THE
ISRAELIS TO KEEP IN MIND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS,
TO COMPLETE THEIR ANTI-TERRORIST OPERATIONS AS QUICKLY AS
POSSIBLE, TO TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT FURTHER CIVILIAN
CASUALTIES, AND TO CONSIDER STEPS THAT CAN EASE THE DIRE
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION INSIDE PALESTINIAN AREAS, LIKE EASING
CLOSURE. WE ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RECENT CIVILIAN
CASUALTIES RESULTING FROM ISRAELI MILITARY ACTIONS. WE
REITERATE OUR CALL ON ISRAEL TO INVESTIGATE AND FULLY
EVALUATE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THESE INCIDENTS, AND TAKE ALL
NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE THAT CIVILIANS, HUMANITARIAN SITES,
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AND HUMANITARIAN WORKERS ARE NOT HARMED DURING ISRAELI
ACTIONS. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO THE FAMILIES OF
ALL THE CIVILIAN VICTIMS IN THIS CONFLICT. WE ARE RAISING
THESE ISSUES DIRECTLY WITH THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT.
MANTRA ON DEMOLITIONS
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Q: WHAT REACTION DO YOU HAVE TO THE ISRAELI DEMOLITION OF 16
PALESTINIAN HOUSES LAST WEEK AND ANOTHER TODAY?
WE RECOGNIZE ISRAEL'S NEED TO TAKE LEGITIMATE ANTI-TERRORIST ACTION, AND WE'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE NEED FOR PALESTINIAN ACTION AGAINST VIOLENCE AND TERROR. HOWEVER, STEPS SUCH AS THE DISPLACEMENT OF PEOPLE THROUGH THE DEMOLITION OF HOMES AND PROPERTY EXACERBATE THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION INSIDE THE PALESTINIAN AREAS, AND UNDERMINE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE. WE ARE FURTHER DISTURBED BY REPORTS THAT THE DEMOLITION OF HOMES IN RECENT WEEKS HAS RESULTED IN THE «DEATHS» OF TWO CIVILIAN OCCUPANTS INSIDE. WE URGE ISRAEL TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF ACTIONS SUCH AS THESE, AND TO TAKE ALL APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT CIVILIAN CASUALTIES DO NOT RESULT FROM ISRAELI ANTI-TERRORIST ACTIONS.
U.S. PRIVATE ASSISTANCE FOR ISRAELI FENCE-BUILDING?
Q: WHAT REACTION DO YOU HAVE TO ISRAEL'S CONTINUED
FENCE-BUILDING BETWEEN ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN AREAS AND
REPORTS THAT U.S. PRIVATE ASSISTANCE IS FUNDING THIS EFFORT?
WE FULLY SUPPORT ISRAEL IN ITS EFFORTS TO COMBAT
TERRORISM, AND RECOGNIZE ISRAEL'S NEED TO TAKE LEGITIMATE
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ANTI-TERRORIST ACTION, BUT HAVE LONG OPPOSED UNILATERAL STEPS
THAT COULD PREJUDGE FUTURE NEGTOTITIONS ON PERMANENT STATUS
ISSUES LIKE BORDERS. SUCH STEPS UNDERMINE EFFORTS TO RESTORE
TRUST IN A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT OF THIS CONFLICT, AND WE
URGE THE ISRAELIS TO CONSIDER THE EFFECT SUCH STEPS WILL HAVE
ON EFFORTS TO ADVANCE TOWARDS THE PRESIDENT'S VISION OF TWO
STATES - PALESTINE AND ISRAELI - LIVING SIDE-BY-SIDE IN PEACE
AND SECURITY.
Q: COULD YOU POSSIBLY TAKE ACTION AGAINST THESE ORGANIZATIONS
AND INDIVIDUALS FUNDING THIS EFFORT?
WE ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC LEGAL PROHIBITION
AGAINST SUCH FUNDING, BUT I WOULD REFER YOU TO THE DEPARTMENT
OF TREASURY FOR ANY FURTHER COMMENT.
PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS TO BE DELAYED?
Q: WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT REPORTS THAT PALESTINIAN
ELECTIONS MIGHT BE DELAYED PAST JANUARY 2003? IS THIS A
FURTHER POSTPONEMENT ON THE QUARTET PLAN OR THE.U.S. ROADMAP?
WHAT ABOUT ARAFAT'S REMARKS THAT ONLY THE PALESTINIANS CAN
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ELECT THEIR LEADERS?
THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT OUR SUPPORT FOR
A NEW PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP BROUGHT ABOUT THROUGH A FREE,
FAIR, AND CREDIBLE ELECTION PROCESS CONDUCTED BY THE
PALESTINIAN PEOPLE. THIS NEW LEADERSHIP SHOULD BE
TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE, FREE FROM ASSOCIATIONS WITH
VIOLENCE AND TERROR, AND CAPABLE OF TAKING THE NECESSARY
DECISIONS TO PREPARE THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE FOR STATEHOOD,
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INCLUDING THE PREPARATION OF A CONSTITUTION.
THE INTERNATIONAL TASK FORCE ON REFORM (U.S., EUROPEAN
UNION, UNITED NATIONS, RUSSIA, IMF, WORLD BANK, JAPAN, AND
NORWAY) HAVE BEEN ENGAGED FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS IN
MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE ELECTORAL REFORM
MEASURES THAT CAN ENSURE THAT FUTURE PALESTINIAN ELECTIONS
ARE FREE, FAIR, AND CREDIBLE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT AMPLE
TIME BE AFFORDED FOR THE ISRAELIS TO EFFECT A WITHDRAWAL FROM
PALESTINIAN AREAS AND REFORM MEASURES ENACTED TO ENSURE A
FREE, FAIR, AND CREDIBLE PROCESS.
AL-QAEDA PRESENCE IN WEST BANK AND GAZA?
Q: ISRAELI MEDIA REPORTS THAT MINISTER OF DEFENSE MOFAZ
RAISED THE ISSUE OF GROWING PALESTINIAN LINKS WITH AL-QAEDA.
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW?
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE AL-QAEDA TERRORIST NETWORK
REMAINS AT THE CENTER OF OUR NATIONAL SECURITY INTERESTS AND
WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH A NUMBER OF REGIONAL LEADERS IN
ENSURE THAT AL-QAEDA DOES NOT RECONSTITUTE ITSELF ANYWHERE IN
THE REGION. WE CONTINUE TO WATCH AL-QAEDA'S MOVEMENTS VERY
CLOSELY, BUT I HAVE NOTHING FOR YOU AT THIS TIME REGARDING
'ANY AL-QAEDA LINKS WITH PALESTINIAN GROUPS.
WE WELCOME STATEMENTS BY PALESTINIAN LEADERS THAT
AL-QAEDA DOES NOT AND HAS NEVER SPOKEN ON BEHALF OF THE
PALESTINIAN CAUSE. WE EXPECT THAT PALESTINIAN LEADERS WILL
DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO COMBAT ANY AL-QAEDA INVOLVEMENT IN
THIS CONFLICT.
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MANTRA ON SETTLEMENT ACTIVITY?
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Q: IS ANYTHING BE DONE TO STOP SETTLEMENT ACTIVITY? WHAT IS
YOUR REACTION TO THE ISRAELI DECISION TO DISMANTLE A
SETTLEMENT IN HEBRON?
WE WELCOME RECENT ISRAELI STEPS TO DISMANTLE SOME
SETTLEMENTS. AS THE PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY HAVE SAID FOR
SOME TIME, THAT "ISRAELI SETTLEMENT ACTIVITY HAS SEVERELY
UNDERMINED PALESTINIAN TRUST AND HOPE. IT PREEMPTS AND
PREJUDGES THE OUTCOME OF NEGOTIATIONS AND, IN DOING SO,
CRIPPLES CHANCES FOR REAL PEACE AND SECURITY. THE U.S. HAS
LONG OPPOSED SETTLEMENT ACTIVITY AND CONSISTENT WITH THE
REPORT OF THE MITCHELL COMMITTEE, SETTLEMENT ACTIVITY MUST
STOP." WE HAVE WELCOMED SOME RECENT ISRAELI ACTIONS TO
DISMANTLE EXISTING SETTLEMENTS AND WE HAVE REITERATED TO THE
ISRAELIS THAT "A HARD LOOK OF THE SETTLEMENT ISSUE" (KURTZER,
HERZLIYA SPEECH 12/3) WILL BE REQUIRED TO DETERMINE THE
NATIONAL AND DIPLOMATIC INTERESTS OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL.
TARGETED KILLINGS: DOUBLE STANDARD?
Q: HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE ARGUMENT THAT THE U.S. IS
PRACTICING A DOUBLE-STANDARD WHEN IT CONDUCTS ASSASSINATIONS
OF TERRORISTS BUT CRITICIZES ISRAEL FOR DOING SO?
OUR POLICY ON TARGETED KILLINGS IS WELL-KNOWN. ISRAELI
ACTIONS SUCH AS THESE IN CROWDED URBAN AREAS JEAPORDIZE THE
LIVES OF PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS, UNDERMINE EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE
PEACE, AGGRAVATE THE SITUATION IN THE REGION, AND DO NOT
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CONTRIBUTE TO PROGRESS. ON PALESTINIAN CIVIL AND SECURITY
REFORM.
AS WE HAVE MADE CLEAR IN THE PAST (BOUCHER, 7/25/02),
WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT ISRAELI POLICIES THAT ARE NOT JUST
LEGAL CONCERNS. THE ISSUE OF TARGETED KILLINGS AND THE ISSUE
OF USE OF HEAVY WEAPONRY IN BUILT-UP AREAS, ARE ISSUES THAT
RELATE TO HOW ARE WE GOING TO ACHIEVE PEACE, AND HOW WE
CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT PERMITS US TO MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS
THE RESUMPTION OF A POLITICAL DIALOGUE BASED ON A RESUMPTION
OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT. WE
CONTINUE TO MONITOR ISRAELI ACTIONS CAREFULLY AND URGE ISRAEL
TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF ACTIONS SUCH AS THESE,
IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY LEGAL CONCERNS.
ISRAELIS BLOCK ARAFAT TRAVEL TO BETHLEHEM
Q: DO YOU HAVE ANY REACTION TO THE ISRAELI DECISION TO BLOCK
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ARAFAT'S TRAVEL TO BETHLEHEM?
I WOULD REFER YOU TO THE PARTIES INVOLVED FOR ANY
COMMENT. OUR FOCUS REMAINS ON BRINGING ABOUT WHAT THE
PRESIDENT CALLED "A NEW DYNAMIC IN THE REGION": A NEW
PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP BROUGHT ABOUT THROUGH A FREE, FAIR,
AND CREDIBLE ELECTION PROCESS. THIS NEW LEADERSHIP SHOULD BE
TRANSPARENT, ACCOUNTABLE, FREE FROM ASSOCIATIONS WITH
VIOLENCE AND TERROR, AND CAPABLE OF TAKING THE NECESSARY
DECISIONS TO PREPARE THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE FOR STATEHOOD,
INCLUDING THE PREPARATION OF A CONSTITUTION.
2) ALGERIA: ACCESS TO GUANTANAMO «DETAINEES»
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(BACKGROUND: AN ALGERIAN MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT HAS ANNOUNCED
THAT HE AND TWO LAWYERS PLAN TO APPLY FOR U.S. VISAS IN ORDER
TO VISIT ALGERIANS DETAINED AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA. THE
PARLIAMENTARIAN APPEARS TO HAVE TWO GOALS: TO GAIN MEDIA
ATTENTION, AND EMBARRASS THE GOVERNMENT OF ALGERIA OVER ITS
CT COOPERATION WITH THE U.S.)
Q: WILL THE U.S. GRANT VISAS TO AN ALGERIAN MEMBER OF
PARLIAMENT AND ACCOMPANYING LAWYERS TO VISIT ALGERIANS
DETAINED AT GUANTANAMO BAY?
VISITS TO GUANTANAMO 4MMULTNEES» BY FOREIGN
PARLIAMENTARIANS, ATTORNEYS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND MEMBERS OF
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS OR PUBLIC INTEREST GROUPS ARE
NOT PERMITTED.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF
THE RED CROSS INDIVIDUALLY AND PRIVATELY VISIT ENEMY
COMBATANTS HELD AT GUANTANAMO ON A REGULAR BASIS.
FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS ARE PERMITTED TO SCHEDULE VISITS TO THEIR OWN NATIONALS AND, ON OCCASION, TO OTHER ‹JMEOUNEES» IF THEY HAVE SPECIFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT OR INTELLIGENCE NEEDS TO VISIT THEM. THESE VISITS ARE ONLY AUTHORIZED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE PURPOSES.
FOR OPERATIONAL AND SECURITY REASONS, VISITS BY
FOREIGN OFFICIALS TO GUANTANAMO MUST BE MISSION-ESSENTIAL OR
IN FURTHERANCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OBJECTIVES OR INTELLIGENCE
GATHERING.
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THE USG WILL BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER ANY APPLICATION FOR A
VISA TO VISIT THE U.S., AND WILL MAKE ITS DECISION BASED ON
THE LEGAL CRITERIA FOR ISSUANCE OF NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS.
Q: IF TRAVEL TO GUANTANAMO IS NOT POSSIBLE, AND THAT IS
THEIR REASON FOR GOING TO THE U.S., WOULD THE APPLICANTS
STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR VISIT VISAS?
-- WE CANNOT PRE-ADJUDICATE THESE APPLICATIONS NOW. THEY
WILL RECEIVE VISAS TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES IF THE CONSULAR
OFFICER FINDS THEM ELIGIBLE UNDER U.S. LAW.
Q: DON'T THE «DETAINEES» HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK WITH A LAWYER?
IN THIS WAR, AS IN EVERY WAR, ENEMY COMBATANTS HAVE NO
RIGHT TO COUNSEL OR ACCESS TO COURTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF
CHALLENGING THEIR DETENTION.
ACCESS TO COUNSEL, IN THE ABSENCE OF CRIMINAL CHARGES,
BY ENEMY COMBATANTS WOULD DIRECTLY INTERFERE WITH OUR
SECURITY INTERESTS AND THE ONGOING EFFORTS OF THE UNITED
STATES AND ITS COALITION PARTNERS TO GATHER AND EVALUATE
INTELLIGENCE ABOUT THE ENEMY, ITS CAPABILITIES, AND ITS PLANS.
IF A INOUIIBEH» IS CHARGED WITH A CRIME, THE
INDIVIDUAL WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO COUNSEL AND WOULD RECEIVE A
FAIR TRIAL. .
TO DATE, NO ENEMY COMBATANT AT GUANTANAMO HAS BEEN
CHARGED WITH A CRIME.
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Q: WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE SITUATION OF «DIMMJNEES» AT
GUANTANAMO BAY? HOW MANY ARE ALGERIAN?
THE USG HAS NOTIFIED ALL. GOVERNMENTS WHOSE NATIONALS
ARE HELD AS ENEMY COMBATANTS AT GUANTANAMO.
ALL «DiMMJNEES» ARE'BEING TREATED HUMANELY IN A MANNER
CONSISTENT WITH THE THIRD GENEVA CONVENTION OF 1949. THEY
RECEIVE ADEQUATE FOOD, SHELTER, MEDICAL CARE, AND OPPORTUNITY
TO WORSHIP.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF
THE RED CROSS INDIVIDUALLY AND PRIVATELY VISIT ENEMY
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COMBATANTS HELD AT GUANTANAMO ON A REGULAR BASIS.
FOR SECURITY REASONS, WE WILL NOT COMMENT ON THE
NUMBERS AND NATIONALITIES OF GUANTANAMO «DiErAMMES».
POWELL
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