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Palau to Take Gitmo's Chinese Detainees

Island nation's move resolves key camp-closing concern

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 10, 2009 8:41 AM CDT

(AP) – Palau agreed to accept 17 Chinese Muslims who have languished in legal limbo at Guantanamo Bay, indicating a resolution to one of the thorniest issues facing the Obama administration's decision to close the prison camp. The announcement, which would clear the last of the Uighurs from the camp, was a major step toward finding new homes for detainees who have been cleared of wrongdoing but cannot go home for fear of ill-treatment.

The US feared the minority Uighurs would be tortured or executed as Islamic separatists if returned to China, but the Obama administration faced fierce congressional opposition to allowing them on US soil as free men. President Johnson Toribiong said the decision of Palau, one of a handful of countries that does not recognize China and maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan, was "a humanitarian gesture" intended to help the detainees restart their lives.

This July 2005 photo shows an aerial view of two causeways built on the northeast coast of the island of Babeldoab, the largest of Palau's more than 300 islands.
This July 2005 photo shows an aerial view of two causeways built on the northeast coast of the island of Babeldoab, the largest of Palau's more than 300 islands.   (AP Photo/Courtesy of the Army Corps of Engineers)
In this photo, reviewed by the US military, Chinese Uighur Guantanamo detainees try to talk to visiting members of the media, at Camp Iguana detention facility at Guantanamo Bay June 1, 2009.
In this photo, reviewed by the US military, Chinese Uighur Guantanamo detainees try to talk to visiting members of the media, at Camp Iguana detention facility at Guantanamo Bay June 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Palau president Johnson Toribiong.
Palau president Johnson Toribiong.   (Interior Department via Wikimedia Commons)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Reader65069154
Jun 10, 2009 3:12 AM CDT
That's an incredibly expensive win for the administration, if the $200MM number is right.
schmidtkoff
Jun 10, 2009 2:41 AM CDT
Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' Keep movin', movin', movin', Though they're disapprovin', Keep them doggies movin' Rawhide! Don't try to understand 'em, Just rope and throw and grab 'em, Soon we'll be living high and wide. Boy my heart's calculatin' My true love will be waitin', be waiting at the end of my ride. Move 'em on, head 'em up, Head 'em up, move 'em out, Move 'em on, head 'em out Rawhide! Set 'em out, ride 'em in Ride 'em in, let 'em out, Cut 'em out, ride 'em in Rawhide. Full Lyrics Rollin', rollin', rollin' Rollin', rollin', rollin' Rollin', rollin', rollin' Rollin', rollin', rollin' Rawhide! Rollin', rollin', rollin' Though the streams are swollen Keep them dogies rollin' Rawhide! Rain and wind and weather Hell-bent for leather Wishin' my gal was by my side. All the things I'm missin', Good vittles, love, and kissin', Are waiting at the end of my ride CHORUS Move 'em on, head 'em up Head 'em up, move 'em on Move 'em on, head 'em up Rawhide Count 'em out, ride 'em in, Ride 'em in, count 'em out, Count 'em out, ride 'em in Rawhide! Keep movin', movin', movin' Though they're disapprovin' Keep them dogies movin' Rawhide! Don't try to understand 'em Just rope, throw, and brand 'em Soon we'll be living high and wide. My hearts calculatin' My true love will be waitin', Be waitin' at the end of my ride. Rawhide! Rawhide!
Observer
Jun 10, 2009 2:23 AM CDT
Another idiot solution to a problem no one cares about. $200 million to take 17 Chinese. This is insane and the architects of this plan should be identified and fired. Stick these guys in Levenworth and forget it. 200 Million! WTF!

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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