Cablegate: Marine Case Update 05/18/2007

VZCZCXRO9242
OO RUEHNH
DE RUEHML #1642 1380810
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 180810Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6563
INFO RUEHNH/AMCONSUL NAHA IMMEDIATE 0102
RHHMUNA/CDRUSPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 001642

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR KCRM CASC RP
SUBJECT: MARINE CASE UPDATE 05/18/2007

REF: MANILA 1369

1. (SBU) Attorneys for Lance Corporal Daniel J. Smith
confirmed on May 18 that they would submit Smith's appellate
brief to the Court of Appeals before the May 19 deadline.
The Philippine Solicitor General is aware of this development
and had earlier indicated that her office will move to submit
the government response as expeditiously as possible.

2. (SBU) Smith remains in U.S. custody on Chancery grounds
and continues to be in good condition following his
hospitalization for a non-life threatening condition in late
April. He has resumed receiving regular visits from his
Philippine pastors and lawyers as well as Embassy medical
personnel. He is still restricted to non-streneous activity
and has yet to resume his exercise routine, but his spirits
are good.

3. (SBU) Since the brief media coverage on his
hospitalization in April, virtually all Philippine media have
been focused on mid-term elections, and there has been no
media attention to Smith nor inquiries to the Embassy's
Public Affairs Section.

Visit Embassy Manila's Classified SIPRNET website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm

You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website:
http:// www.state.sgov.gov/
JONES

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