Three Guantanamo inmates transferred to Georgia (Republic)

The United States Tuesday transferred three inmates from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to Georgia, a US official said, leaving 183 prisoners still languishing in the controversial US military jail. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said the Georgian ministry of interior had announced "that three Guantanamo detainees were transferred to Georgia."

It was believed to be the first time that Georgia has accepted to take in Guantanamo detainees.

"We are grateful to the government of Georgia for joining their efforts to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay," Crowley added.

President Barack Obama has pledged to close the US military base in Cuba, but his administration has struggled to find countries to take in those cleared of any charges but who cannot be returned to their home countries for various reasons.

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2010/March/10-ag-297.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, March 23, 2010

United States Transfers Three Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Georgia
The Department of Justice today announced that three detainees have been transferred from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to the custody and control of Georgia.

As directed by the President’s January 22, 2009 Executive Order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of these cases. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, the detainees were approved for transfer by unanimous consent among all the agencies involved in the Task Force. In accordance with Congressionally-mandated reporting requirements, the Administration informed Congress of its intent to transfer these detainees at least 15 days before their transfer.

Earlier today, three detainees, whose identities are being withheld for security and privacy reasons, were transferred to Georgia. The United States is grateful to Georgia for its willingness to support U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

These transfers were carried out under an arrangement between the United States and Georgia. The United States coordinated with the Georgia to ensure the transfers took place under appropriate security measures and consultations regarding these individuals will continue.

Since 2002, more than 580 detainees have departed Guantanamo Bay for other destinations.

Off Thread Topic:

http://www.truthusa.com/911.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,589769,00.html
(THE WALL STREET JOURNAL)

“Judge Orders Release of Gitmo Detainee With Ties to 9/11 Attacks”
Monday, March 22, 2010

WASHINGTON —

SNIPPET: “Mohamedou Ould Slahi was accused in the 9/11 Commission report of helping recruit Mohammed Atta and other members of the Al Qaeda cell in Hamburg, Germany, that took part in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Military prosecutors suspected Slahi of links to other Al Qaeda operations, and considered seeking the death penalty against him while preparing possible charges in 2003 and 2004.”

SNIPPET: “Brig. Gen. John Furlow, who helped lead a Pentagon-ordered investigation into detainee abuse at Guantanamo Bay, has testified that Slahi was “the highest value detainee” at the offshore prison and “the key orchestrator of the Al Qaeda cell in Europe.””

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