Excerpt from document summary
(S/NF) The International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) Tunisian Coordinator for Regional Protection Francesco
Bruscoli (strictly protect) informed acting P/E Counselor
July 14 on the margins of a reception that the ICRC had
recently visited the two former Guantanamo detainees
imprisoned in Tunisia.

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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTU #0472 1961620
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 151620Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY TUNIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6543
INFO RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
Content
S E C R E T TUNIS 000472

NOFORN
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/MAG (MHAYES), DRL (KMCGEENEY), AND S/WIC
(ARICCI)
PASS DOD/OSD (ALIOTTA)
PASS DOJ/ODAG (MSTRANSKY)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2019
TAGS: PREL, PHUM, PTER, KDRG, TS
SUBJECT: ICRC SAYS A FORMER GUANTANAMO DETAINEE NEEDS
TREATMENT

REF: A. TUNIS 407
B. TUNIS 399
C. 08 TUNIS 1137
D. 08 TUNIS 992
E. 07 TUNIS 1483
F. 07 TUNIS 1448
G. 07 TUNIS 1425
H. 07 TUNIS 1060

Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and(d)

1. (S/NF) The International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) Tunisian Coordinator for Regional Protection Francesco
Bruscoli (strictly protect) informed acting P/E Counselor
July 14 on the margins of a reception that the ICRC had
recently visited the two former Guantanamo detainees
imprisoned in Tunisia. He said that Abdallah Ben Omar
(al-Hajji) is still suffering psychologically, is not
coherent, and needs treatment. He said Ben Omar was
suffering from his cumulative experience over the last seven
years (Refs C-H). He was not more precise about the
treatment Ben Omar needs, and had no comments regarding
Lufti Bin Swei Lagha.

2. (S/NF) Bruscoli asked about the status of the remaining
10 Tunisian Guantanamo detainees. Pol/Econ Chief mentioned
that there had been news articles about USG discussions with
Germany, Italy and others about possibly accepting Tunisian
detainees. In that context, Bruscoli said the German Embassy
was seeking assurances from the GOT regarding treatment of
returnees but was not satisfied with the response so far.

3. (C) Regarding other ICRC work, he said they would soon
begin a new project aimed at reducing the number of Tunisians
going into the prison system. He said the necessary laws are
already on the books but need to be implemented. They have
GOT support for this project which will begin on a trial
basis in one of the smaller provinces. The project will work
to reduce the number of people in prison through both
pre-sentencing measures including limiting pre-trial
detention and sentencing measures that might provide more
alternatives to prison sentences.

4. (S/NF) Comment: It is highly unusual for ICRC officials
to be so frank regarding the former Guantanamo detainees and
presumably indicates serious ICRC concern about Ben Omar's
condition. We will seek a follow-up meeting with Francesco
Bruscoli.
Godec