Europe Balks at Taking Gitmo Detainees

After US Congress raises objections, allies change tune
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted May 29, 2009 6:54 AM CDT
Europe Balks at Taking Gitmo Detainees
Guantanamo detainees pray before dawn near a fence of razor-wire inside the exercise yard at Camp 4 detention facility, at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, file)

The Obama administration has intensely lobbied its European allies to allow at least 50 Guantanamo detainees to resettle overseas. But as the US Congress rebels against the president's plans to move inmates to federal prisons, reports the Washington Post, an already skeptical Europe has strengthened its objections. "If the US refuses to take these people, why should we?" one German legislator said.

So far Britain and France have each accepted one prisoner, but since then negotiations have gotten trickier. In Germany, where the US hoped to settle nine Uighurs that were cleared of all charges, officials who once supported resettlement now say the White House is refusing to share enough information about possible security risks. "If the US says they should come here, but they cannot travel to the US, we would have to ask why not?" said one German official. "Does that mean they are dangerous?"
(More Germany stories.)

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