Obama Gives Up On Resettling Detainees in US

Plans abandoned after Uighur deals, congressional opposition
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 12, 2009 6:15 AM CDT
Obama Gives Up On Resettling Detainees in US
Chinese Uighur detainees, who at the time were cleared for release but had no country to go to, show a home-made note to visiting members of the media at Guantanamo Bay earlier this month.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, Pool, File)

The administration has largely abandoned plans to allow Guantanano detainees cleared for release to settle in the US, the Washington Post reports. Plans to allow Uighur detainees who said their only enemy was the Chinese government to live in the US met firm opposition from Congress. Four Uighurs were sent to Bermuda yesterday, and Palau has agreed to take the 13 who remain.

It is possible that "a few" of the dozens of non-Uighur detainees cleared for release may be considered for release in the the US, said an administration insider. But any attempt to do so would likely meet even stronger opposition from Congress. Analysts warn, however, that European countries being eyed for resettlement will close their doors if it becomes apparent that the US is unwilling to take any detainees.
(More Guantanamo prisoners stories.)

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