State Department talking points on the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) Rotational Move at Guantanamo. It concerns a report that the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) will be "pulling-out" of Guantanamo and have no presence there to observe, monitor and service the detainees housed there.
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L Contingency Press Guidance
March 26, 2002
ICRC ROTATIONAL MOVE AT GUANTANAMO
Q: Is it true that the ICRC is puffing its people out of Guantanamo?
-- NO. THE ICRC WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME
ACCESS AND PRESENCE AT GUANTANAMO BAY.
-- OUR UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE ICRC IS MAKING
STAFFING CHANGES AT GUANTANAMO BAY AS PART OF A
ROUTINE ROTATION PROCESS.
-THE ICRC'S ROTATION PROCESS IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO PERSONNEL WHO HAVE BEEN SERVING AT GUANTANAMO BAY. THEY WILL EITHER RETURN AFTER A SHORT BREAK OR BE REPLACED BY NEW PERSONNEL. WE EXPECT THAT ANY INTERRUPTION IN THE ICRC'S PRESENCE AT GUANTANAMO BAY IS TEMPORARY. IT WILL NOT AFFECT THE TREATMENT OF DETAINEES OR THE CONDITIONS AT GUANTANAMO BAY.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW AUTHORITY: WILLIAM J GEHRON
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DATE/CASE ID: 08 NOV 2004 200303827
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For Background Only:
The ICRC is an impartial, neutral, and independent organization whose main humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and to provide them with assistance. The ICRC serves as an intermediary between the detainees and the Detaining Power and works to facilitate compliance with and respect for international humanitarian law. In this case, its presence at Guantanamo Bay is designed to ensure — in cooperation with the United States — the proper treatment of detainees consistent with the Geneva Conventions and the laws and customs of war. The United States has permitted the ICRC to have a presence at Guantanamo Bay and to meet privately and individually with every detainee.
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Drafted: L/PM - DBowker
x76863 Doc 101598 vl 3/26/02 Cleared: UNP: ECummings ok
PRM/MCE: JBuche info
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