Cablegate: Embassy Asks for Goa Notification Before Any

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBUL #2413 2471305
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 031305Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY KABUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5390
INFO RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 6966

UNCLAS KABUL 002413

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/FO, SCA/A, CA/OCS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PGOV AFIN PK
SUBJECT: EMBASSY ASKS FOR GOA NOTIFICATION BEFORE ANY
RELEASE OF MUHAMMAD AHMAD, SON OF AAFIA SIDDIQUI

REF: STATE 93972

1. (SBU) Polcouns telephoned MFA Senior Advisor Davood
Marodian on 9/3, and urged the GOA to inform the Embassy of
its timeline on releasing Muhammad Ahmad and to notify the
Embassy before any release. Marodian attended FM Spanta,s
9/2 press conference where Spanta announced the GOA would
release Ashan soon to his family. Marodian said the choice
of the word &family8 was deliberate, to maintain some GOA
flexibility on to whom it would release the boy.

2. (SBU) Marodian understood our points, but urged us to
inform the GOA quickly of Washington guidance on how to
handle the case. Marodian assured Polcouns that he would
coordinate with the relevant GOA authorities to ensure no
release occurs before we know Washington guidance. He would
look into what if any timeline there was on a release.

3. (SBU) The Pakistan charge delivered a diplomatic note
earlier today asserting the child was of Pakistani
citizenship and requesting the child,s release to his family
in Pakistan. The MFA will take no immediate action.

4. (SBU) Comment: The MFA is willing to help us, but it does
not have custody of the boy and must rely on cooperation of
other GOA agencies. We require timely Washington guidance.
WOOD

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