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Guantanamo Still on Track for Closure, Despite Opposition |
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Written by Asma Stewart
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Thursday, 29 April 2010 |
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel latest to accept Detainees
Asma
Stewart, IP staff writer
The United States remains on the path to
close down the notorious prison camp of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.The
Obama administration is still moving within its power to proceed with
these plans even though, due to several snags, the January deadline has
been exceeded.
There were many things contributing to the hold up
including, but not limited, to inconsistencies in prisoner information,
as well as opposition from some congress members and the issue of
finding countries prepared to accept them all.The German government,
which has always supported the closing of the prison camp, recently
stated that they are willing to discuss the possibility of accepting
some of the detainees. As reported by Jurist News, German Chancellor
Angela Merkel, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere and Foreign Minister
Guido Westerwelle have suffered backlash over their possible plan to
accept three transfers to Germany.
Various German statesmen feel that
Germany should reject the former inmates on the premise that its not
Germany's responsibility to accept them, according to the Epoch Times.
Concern
has arisen regarding alleged returns to Afghan battlefields by former
detainees and the fear of whether the prisoners could pose a threat to
German society.The State Department Assistant Secretary said at a
press conference that, nevertheless, releasing the men of Guantanamo Bay
against whom there is no evidence is “the right course of action.”
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