| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: WoT |
| French initiative for Gitmo transfers |
| 2009-01-25 |
| France has reportedly put forth a plan for EU member states to accept 60 Guantanamo detainees as the detention center moves toward closure. The plan, which was sent to European capitals ahead of a Monday summit of EU foreign ministers, is in line with US President Barack Obama's promise to shut down Guantanamo Bay prison, Der Spiegel reported Saturday. The proposal calls on European governments to take in up to 60 prisoners, who are held in the detention center without charges but could face torture if sent back to their home countries. The office of French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, however, did not immediately comment on the report. The detention center, most-infamous for disregarding human rights and practicing 'enhanced interrogation methods' - a euphemism for torture used by the Bush administration, - is currently holding about 250 prisoners. Some European governments have already expressed readiness to take in Gitmo inmates while some fiercely opposed the move. Britain, France and Germany have already hinted that they would accept detainees. The UK has already accepted nine detainees - five British nationals and four former residents. Guantanamo has been used by the US military since 2002, after George W. Bush launched his 'war on terror' following the 9/11 terror attack on US soil. It has held more than 750 captives from around the world with only one trial having been conducted. . The Facility has been described as a "sad chapter in American history," by Obama. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 Gitmo was a handy club to beat the Bush Administration with. Now, with the Big O planning to close it, they do not have that club anymore. But the devil, as always, is in the details. Who is willing to take these outrageous excuses for humanity? Who will feed them, who will give them hugs? Railing on us is cheap and fun. Making tough decisions is a drag when you have to. Welcome to reality, EU. Have a nice time with the Gitmo Guyz. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2009-01-25 17:44 |
| #2 The Israelis need to offer the EU the same deal, plop their Pali prisoners in Paris. Then take prisoner about 3 million Palis. And just what "human rights" were violated at Gitmo? The right against tasteless pop music? On the other hand most of these prisoners were from the Al Qaeda brigade that enforced Taliban rule and were responsible for horrendous attrocities. One I remember reading from pre 911 news magazine was them massacring Hazaras because they looked Asian. One of the bodies had had the skin peeled off it's face by these Arabs. Buts that's just good old Arab fun to these anti American Euro bastards. Too bad they they will get to experience it on their home soil in another decade or two. Just get our troops home before they get caught in the crossfire. |
| Posted by: ed 2009-01-25 13:41 |
| #1 You will recall, of course, that they refused GWB's multiple requests to do this. Europe was not our friend before Bush was elected and if Obie thinks they're our friends now, due to discussions like this, he's pretty damned naive. Or self-deluding, which is more likely. |
| Posted by: lotp 2009-01-25 09:28 |