This letter is a response from the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bill Graham to Nathan J. Whitling of Parke McLaws Barristers & Solicitors, concerning a Guantanamo detainee Omar Ahmed Khadr, who is a Canadian citizen. Mr. Graham acknowledges Mr. Edney's December 11, 2003 and January 20, 2004 letters and the amicus curiae briefs Mr. Edney has filed on behalf of Mr. Khadr. Mr. Graham states " We have discussed with U.S officials the legal protections to be accorded to Mr. Khadr while he is incarcerated, as well as the legal protections that he is entitled to receive when, and if he goes to trial. In." Mr. Graham also states “Further, Mr. Khadr is not currently charged with any crime” and “In closing, let me say that the Canadian government will continue to monitor closely the situation at Guantanamo Bay. Our dialogue with U.S. officials about the legal protections to be accorded to Mr. Khadr will also continue.”
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". AUG', 27. 2004 12:43PM OFAIT MAECI JPO UNCLASSIFIED NO. 516 P.' 19 . RELEASED IN FULL
MInister'
Minislre
~~(cIEH W IE iO)
of Foreign Affairs
des Affaires lJtrangeres
1Jlf..!. JU» 1 lj 2004 ~.
ottawa, Canada K1A 0G2 . ·The Hooourabre l'honorabJe
Bill Grsnam P.C., Q.C., MP~ c.p.• c.r.. d~put6
Mr. Nathan 1. Whitling
.'
Parlee McLaws Banisters &. Solicitors
1SOO Manulife Place
10180.10] Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5J4Kl
Dear Mr. Whitling:
Thank you for your letter ofFebrualY 9, 2004, concerning your request that the Canadjan government seek equivalent assurances with respect to Omar. Khadr as those granted to the Australian government In relation to the manner in which an Austnillan citizen held at Guantanamo Bay will be tried and treated. I regret the delay in replying to'you.
. "
. First. Canada bas 'formally registered'Its 'opposition with the American
government [0'the death penalty as an acceptable punisbment or as a sentence for ,
any Canadian detainee held at'Guantanamo Bay.
We have discussed with ns, officials the legal prptections to be IWCOrded to Mr. Khadt while he is -incarcerated, as well as the legal pro~~tions that he is entitled to reccive when, and if, he goes to trial. In regard to the latter, i~ should be noted that, unlike the case oftJJe Australian citizen; the American government has not yet detennined that Mr.· Kbadr iB subject to thej~ctionofthe U.S.
. military commissions. ,Further, Mr. Khadr is not currently charged with any crime.
. In dosing. let me say that the C~adian government win continue to monitor c!o,dy the situation at Guantanamo Bay, Our dialogue with u.s. officials about the legal protections to be accorded to Mr. Khadr will also continue.; ,
Sincerely.
Canada
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE. REVIEW AUTHORITY: SHARON E AHMAD
UNCLASSIFIED
DATE/CASE ID: 20 APR 2005 200303827 . J
DOS-0030S2