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To Close Guantánamo, US Must Go Through Yemen

Officials reluctant to send prisoners back to unstable nation

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 16, 2008 3:00 PM CST

(Newser) – As the new administration decides how to make good on its promise to close Guantánamo Bay, the little nation of Yemen is proving to be big trouble. US officials began sending detainees to be held in their home countries in 2005, but have kept all 100-odd Yemenis over fears that their government will let them free, McClatchy reports.

Officials want assurances that the men won't pose any threat to the US before releasing the 220 remaining prisoners. But Yemen says it can't hold anyone without charges, something the Bush administration convinced other countries to do. Yemen's failure to prevent September's US Embassy bombing has further weakened trust in its ability to contain potential security threats.

In this June 6, 2008 file photo, reviewed by the US military, the sun rises over Camp Delta detention compound at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba.
In this June 6, 2008 file photo, reviewed by the US military, the sun rises over Camp Delta detention compound at Guantanamo Bay US Naval Base in Cuba.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsleyl, File)
The Bush administration has moved over two thirds of the detainees out of Guantanamo Bay, sending most of them to their home nations to be tried, or more likely held, there.
The Bush administration has moved over two thirds of the detainees out of Guantanamo Bay, sending most of them to their home nations to be tried, or more likely held, there.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)
Yemenis perform funeral prayers in front of the coffins of some of the 18 people killed in the deadly attack on the US embassy in Yemen on Sept. 17, 2008.
Yemenis perform funeral prayers in front of the coffins of some of the 18 people killed in the deadly attack on the US embassy in Yemen on Sept. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mohammed al-Qadhi)
Militants linked to al-Qaeda launched a brazen attack on the US Embassy in the Yemeni capital. One result is decreased Western faith that returned prisoners would be punished by their government.
Militants linked to al-Qaeda launched a brazen attack on the US Embassy in the Yemeni capital. One result is decreased Western faith that returned prisoners would be punished by their government.   (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
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