A review process directed by the Pentagon cleared 46 detainees at the Guantanamo prison camp for transfer this year to their home countries. The 46 were among 330 detainees at the U.S. naval base in southeast Cuba who underwent a second round of annual Administrative Review Boards. In the reviews, a military panel evaluates whether a detainee can be released, transferred or must remain at Guantanamo because he allegedly poses a threat to the United States or has intelligence value. No more evaluations are planned in 2006.The detainees are usually transferred to the custody of authorities of their home countries. The civilian official overseeing the review boards, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, can abide by the panel's recommendations or overrule.
A chart on a Pentagon Web site Saturday showed decisions have been made on at least 211 cases this year. Officials determined that none of the detainees should be released, 46 should be transferred to their home countries and 165 should remain at Guantanamo. England has yet to rule on the remainder of the review boards, according to the Pentagon Web site.
About 395 prisoners are held at Guantanamo on suspicion of links to al-Qaida or the Taliban, including 85 who have been cleared to leave for other countries. Most of the detainees have never been charged with a crime.
Mind boggling statement. Unless you realize the writer is on the other side.