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June 20, 2009
Some Guantanamo Detainees Resisting Move to Palau
Some Guantanamo Detainees Resisting Move to Palau
The Obama administration's drive to close the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, has hit a new snag: At least some of the 13 detainees accepted for resettlement by the island nation of Palau don't want to go there.
Meanwhile, protests have erupted in Bermuda over its recent resettlement of four Uighur detainees, with the country's leader facing a no-confidence vote by his parliament. Dissent in the British island territory, which sits in the Atlantic Ocean east of North Carolina, came after Bermuda's acceptance of the men strained relations with London, which complained that the island's home-rule government failed to advise it about the decision.
Palau, a tiny South Pacific country, seemed to offer a potential solution to a problem that has vexed the Bush and Obama administrations since the Defense Department began clearing 22 Uighurs from China for release, after deciding they were erroneously deemed enemy combatants in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
After meeting with the Palauans and consulting their attorneys, the Uighurs showed little enthusiasm for transfer to the island, an administration official said.
A State Department spokesman couldn't be reached for comment. Calls to the Palau Embassy in Washington weren't returned. A spokesman for the Justice Department, which is leading a task force President Barack Obama has directed to review the Guantanamo detentions, declined to comment on the delays, saying "It would be premature to talk about any concrete proposals or requests at this time, as discussions are still ongoing."
The Obama administration official said the Palauans understand the U.S.—which subsidizes Palau's economy and oversees its defense—is under pressure to transfer detainees. The official said they have concerns about the lack of a Uighur community in Palau, and restrictions on becoming a citizen there.
George Clarke, a Washington lawyer who represents two Uighurs cleared for release, said his clients "are both very interested in getting out of Guantanamo and they are very open to the idea of going to Palau." But other Uighurs aren't interested in transfer to the islands, he said. "There's a difference of opinion," he said.
Palau has no Muslim community, and the majority of residents are Roman Catholic. Clarke said his clients are particularly concerned about the legal status they would hold on Palau, and whether they could obtain documentation such as a passport.
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Wild Thing's comment........
Yikes, They probably want passports so they can come here.
They understand that the wheels are in motion and the administration just wants the issue to go away so they’re holding out for whatever concessions they can wrangle. Amazing! they went from prisoners to holding all the cards under this idiotic administration we have.
Posted by Wild Thing at June 20, 2009 06:48 AM
Comments
That photo. Newlyweds? Are they wed or just going steady??
Posted by: Jack at June 20, 2009 09:56 AM
Just going steady. That was good Jack. They should be sent back to China along with the 4 vacationing in Bermuda.
Posted by: Bob A at June 20, 2009 11:03 AM
Ha ha. The whole Gitmo situation is turning to crap for obama. His liberal/Marxist ideas don't stand the scrutiny of reality. Nobody wants the Uighurs and the Uighurs aren't going to cooperate either.
Posted by: TomR at June 20, 2009 12:58 PM
Jack,Hahahhahaa good one!!!!
I got the graphic at Limbaughs site.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 21, 2009 12:56 AM
BobF., I agree, just send them to China.
China said they want them.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 21, 2009 01:01 AM
Tom, it sure is, Obama keeps
opening his mouth of what he will do
before he even makes plans for things.
What the heck did he expect, countries
to open their arms to terrorists? hahaha
I don't think so.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 21, 2009 01:05 AM
