U.S. to Release More Gitmo Prisoners

[miguel]

I hope this signals a decision to move quicker on the remaining 600 detainees.

U.S. to Release More Gitmo Prisoners

Sorry, I know how much a bunch of you hate fox news, but I couldn't find another source, even though it's from AP:

MADRID, Spain ? The United States will release two dozen prisoners from Guantanamo Bay in the coming weeks, an American envoy said Friday.



Pierre-Richard Prosper (search), the U.S ambassador-at-large for war crimes, said several dozen other prisoners will be transferred to the custody of authorities in their native countries.

More than 600 prisoners are being held incommunicado at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, accused of links to Al Qaeda or the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Some 60 former suspects have been freed and sent home.

"We expect to see almost two dozen individuals released in the coming weeks who no longer pose a threat to the international community," Prosper told a news conference at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid.

He declined to say what nationalities the detainees were or to specify the date of their expected release. Regarding the several dozen detainees to be transferred but not freed, he said they pose "a medium-level threat" and will be prosecuted in their own countries.

Prosper was in Madrid to discuss the case of a Spanish citizen held in Guantanamo (search). The man, from Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta, was not among those scheduled for release.

"We believe he poses a significant threat to Spain, to the U.S. and to the international community," Prosper said. "We're disturbed by the information we have and the depths of the contacts we know he has with Al Qaeda."

Prosper, who is meeting with officials from the interior, justice and foreign ministries, said discussions will focus on whether the Spaniard should remain in Guantanamo or be prosecuted in Spain. He acknowledged that Madrid had pressured the United States to review the case.

Although Spain has been a staunch supporter of the war on terror, Foreign Minister Ana Palacio (search) recently complained about the indefinite detentions at Guantanamo. Human rights groups also have complained that the suspects are being held without charges or legal representation.

 

[Witling]

I'll bet a dollar that some of the people being released are British.

As an aside. I'm sure these people must be held for some reason. It's hard for me to believe that "being associated with Al Queda" or the Taliban is sufficient for someone to be held for two years. I'm not going to bother to look this up because it would upset my prejudice about our . . . er . . ah .... stern government. But I leave it as a thought experiment for you as you drift off to sleep tonight.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Hopefully the corrupt, despotic executive branch will be officially cleansed by Jan '05.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
Hopefully the corrupt, despotic executive branch will be officially cleansed by Jan '05.

And when the Supreme Court rules that holding these "illegal combatants" in the mannner we have been is perfectly legal, what then?

More insightful one-liners like the one above?

 

[Witling]

Ultra, there's the reason, thanks. Illegal combatant is one thing. "Associated with Al Queda" or the Taliban is another. I attribute my puzzlement to sloppy reporting. The article does say they're being held for association. Now that you've jogged my memory, yes, it is their status as illegal combatants that permits them to be held.

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: Ultra Quiet

Originally posted by: BaliBabyDoc
Hopefully the corrupt, despotic executive branch will be officially cleansed by Jan '05.

And when the Supreme Court rules that holding these "illegal combatants" in the mannner we have been is perfectly legal, what then?

More insightful one-liners like the one above?

now that would be scary

 

[LilBlinbBlahIce]

It's all about promoting democracy when it is convenient to us. Atleast their realeasing some of them. better 12 then none. I'm by no means empying they should release all of them, I'm sure there is genuine cause to keep a good chunk detained. But imprisoning people without a shread of evidence or access to legal counsel, as most of these people are, might be Bush's America, but it sure as hell ain't mine.

 

[Witling]

As the second guy in on this thread while George W was in Britain, I predicted that it would be British prisoners released. WRONG-O! Today, (Saturday, 11/22 here) the Guardian reports that five Pakistanis were released.

Guardian Article Link.

But don't miss this paragraph from the article.

"``We believe that they had no links with any militant groups, but we want to satisfy ourselves before allowing them to go to their homes,'' said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity."

So how long did they hold these guys with no links to militant groups? What is it, about 18 months now?

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Whitling
``We believe that they had no links with any militant groups, but we want to satisfy ourselves before allowing them to go to their homes,'' said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity."

That is disturbing. :|