This State Department document is a talking points memo addressing the Guantanamo detainees and their treatment. It states: The United States has detained al-Qaida, Taliban, and other enemy combatants who pose a threat to the U.S. and our allies; We currently hold around 650 enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay; Detainees will be prosecuted by the U.S. Government, transferred to their countries of origin for prosecution or released if they no longer pose a threat; Detainees will be treated humanely and consistently with the Geneva Conventions, but they are not “Prisoners of War” as defined under the Geneva Conventions; and the detainees are not subjected to physical or mental abuse or cruel treatment.
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GUANTANAMO DETAINEES
As part of our operations in the war on terror, the United States has detained al-Qaida, Taliban, and other enemy combatants who pose a threat to the U.S. and our allies. We currently hold around 650 enemy combatants at Guantanamo
Bay.
•
We are investigating.and reviewing all cases in order to
reach a determination on final disposition of all
detainees as soon as possible. Detainees will be
prosecuted by the U.S. Government, will be transferred to
their countries of origin for prosecution or detention,
or will be released if they no longer pose a threat.
•
The United States is treating and will continue to treat
all individuals detained at Guantanamo humanely and, to
the extent appropriate and consistent with military
necessity, in a manner consistent with the principles of
the Third Geneva Convention of 1949.
•
We are in ongoing communication with countries whose
nationals are being held at Guantanamo. When detainees
are being considered for release or prosecution, we work
with those detainees' countries to ensure humane
treatment.
•
Under the terms of the Third Geneva Convention, the
Taliban and al-Qaida detainees being held at Guantanamo
Bay are not considered to be prisoners of war.
•
Even though detainees are not entitled to POW status,
they are treated in a manner consistent with
international principles pertaining to POWs to the extent
appropriate and consistent with military necessity.
• The White House and Department of Defense have made clear•
that the detainees are not subjected to physical or
mental abuse or cruel treatment. It is the policy of the
United States to comply with all of its legal obligations
in its treatment of detainees, and in particular legal
obligations that prohibit torture.
UNITEDSTATESDEPARTMENTOFWWE TIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED REVIEW AUTHORITY: SHARON E AHMAD DATE/CASE ID: 16 NOV 2004 2003038277
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S/WCI: John Goldener, x 7-5234
cleared: D: Rbeecroft((ok)
P: Bbrink((ok)
T: Pmcnerney((ok)
WHA: Efalls((info)
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[S/CT & DRL LMO]
G: Nbibbins ((ok)
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USOAS: Emiramontes (ok)
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