State Department memo on how to address questions from the media on how the Guantanamo detainees are being treated. The memo poses potential questions and answers and states that the answers should be that the detainees are being: treated humanely in accordance with the Geneva Conventions; provided with culturally appropriate meals; exercise and receive medical attention; and that these are very dangerous people and that security precautions are being taken.
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
S/WCI Press Guidance
February 29, 2002
TREATMENT OF DETAINEES IN GUANTANAMO
Q: Comment on the treatment of the prisoners at Guantanamo (and the hunger
strike)?
— THE INDIVIDUALS BEING DETAINED AT GUANTANAMO
ARE BEING TREATED HUMANELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS.
—EACH DAY THE DETAINEES ARE GIVEN THREE
CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE MEALS.
—
THEY HAVE DAILY OPPORTUNITIES TO SHOWER,
EXERCISE AND RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION.
—IT IS OF COURSE THE CASE THAT THESE DETAINEES ARE VERY DANGEROUS PEOPLE, AND ALL APPRORIATE SECURITY PRECAUTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN.
—
WE ARE CONTINUING TO INVESTIGATE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE DETAINEES AND AL QAEDA, AND ARE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: WILLIAM E LA\DFAIR
DATE/CASE ID: 06 OCT 2004 200303827 UNCLASSIFIED
DOS-000027
UNCLASSIFIED
COLLECTING ANY RELEVANT INFORMATION CONCERNING CRIMES THEY MAY HAVE COMMITTED.
-- THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE RED CROSS HAS ACCESS TO THE DETAINEES AT GUANTANAMO TO MONITOR THE CONDITIONS THERE.
(IF ASKED)
Q. WHAT'S THE STATUS OF THE HUNGER STRIKE?
-REFER YOU TO THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
Background: The media report that most of the 300 detainees at the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have refused to eat after a guard interrupted one detainee's prayer and removed his makeshift turban. About 194 detainees refused lunch yesterday (February 28). The Defense Department says the number of detainees refusing to eat today (Feb. 29) has fallen to at or below 100.
UNCLASSIFIED
DOS-000028
UNCLASSIFIED
Drafted:US/WCI — Mike Newton, x7-5093/UNESA —Mike Mattlei x73219
Cleared:UL/PM:Dkaye L/OES — Ebloom L — Wtaft
UNCLASSIFIED
DOS-000029