The United States for the first time publishes names of 55 out of 167 “war on terror” suspects cleared for release. (Reuters)
By AFP, WASHINGTON
The U.S. government has published for the first time a list of 55
Guantanamo detainees cleared for release but still held amid challenges
identifying a willing host country or concerns about sending them home.
The list, which includes names and serial numbers, represents about a
third of the 167 “war on terror” suspects who still linger at the U.S.
naval base in southern Cuba more than 11 years after the September 11,
2001 attacks on U.S. soil.
A significant number of the men listed are Yemenis, reflecting U.S.
concerns over sending Guantanamo detainees to the troubled nation, where
they could become involved in terror-related activities.
President Barack Obama suspended transfers to Yemen in January 2010, citing the “unsettled” security situation there.
Since 2009, government officials have kept secret the identities of
detainees approved for release or transfer, saying a public release
would hinder diplomatic efforts to arrange for the men to be moved to
“safe and responsible” locations.
“The United States originally sought protection of this information in
order to maintain flexibility in its diplomatic engagements with foreign
governments on potential detainee transfers, especially in cases of
resettlement in third countries, rather than the detainees’ respective
countries of origin,” a Justice Department spokesperson said Friday.
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