The British Government responded with ill-disguised fury tonight to the news that four Chinese Uighurs freed from Guantanamo Bay had been flown for resettlement on the Atlantic tourist paradise of Bermuda. The four arrived on Bermuda in the early hours, celebrating the end of seven years of detention after learning that they were to be accepted as guest workers. But it appears that the Government of Bermuda failed to consult with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the decision to take in the Uighurs - whose return is demanded by Beijing - and it could now be forced to send them back to Cuba or risk a grave diplomatic crisis. Bermuda, Britain's oldest remaining dependency, is one of 14 overseas territories that come under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, which retains direct responsibility for such matters as foreign policy and security.
The British Government responded with ill-disguised fury tonight to the news that four Chinese Uighurs freed from Guantanamo Bay had been flown for resettlement on the Atlantic tourist paradise of Bermuda.
The four arrived on Bermuda in the early hours, celebrating the end of seven years of detention after learning that they were to be accepted as guest workers.
But it appears that the Government of Bermuda failed to consult with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the decision to take in the Uighurs - whose return is demanded by Beijing - and it could now be forced to send them back to Cuba or risk a grave diplomatic crisis.
Bermuda, Britain's oldest remaining dependency, is one of 14 overseas territories that come under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, which retains direct responsibility for such matters as foreign policy and security.
I've no love for the US trying to wash its hands of its responsibilities in the most grubby and underhandeded manner, but if any other govt deserves condemnation alongside them, it's the UK. keep to the Fen Causeway
TAPPER: Two questions about developments today. One regarding the Ghailani trial -- him being flown to the United States -- if any of the detainees who are brought to trial through the U.S. criminal courts, or even through military commissions -- if any of them are found not guilty, will the administration let them free? GIBBS: Well, I'm not going to get into hypotheticals about... TAPPER: Forget the military commissions. GIBBS: I'm not going to get into hypotheticals about the court cases either. TAPPER: Well, this is an important part of -- you're talking about a credible justice system; bringing these people to justice. You've spoken at great length about this -- the president has. If they are found not guilty, will they be found... GIBBS: Well, let's discuss that if it ever comes to fruition. TAPPER: But isn't that what is underlying a credible justice system? The idea that if you're found not guilty, you'll be free? GIBBS: Sure. TAPPER: So... GIBBS: But I'm not going to get into hypotheticals about how certain cases may or may not play out. TAPPER: So you're not willing to commit to freeing people if they're found not guilty? GIBBS: I'm not willing to get into playing hypothetical games.
GIBBS: Well, I'm not going to get into hypotheticals about...
TAPPER: Forget the military commissions.
GIBBS: I'm not going to get into hypotheticals about the court cases either.
TAPPER: Well, this is an important part of -- you're talking about a credible justice system; bringing these people to justice. You've spoken at great length about this -- the president has. If they are found not guilty, will they be found...
GIBBS: Well, let's discuss that if it ever comes to fruition.
TAPPER: But isn't that what is underlying a credible justice system? The idea that if you're found not guilty, you'll be free?
GIBBS: Sure.
TAPPER: So...
GIBBS: But I'm not going to get into hypotheticals about how certain cases may or may not play out.
TAPPER: So you're not willing to commit to freeing people if they're found not guilty?
GIBBS: I'm not willing to get into playing hypothetical games.
Most likely places to take the Uighurs also had agreements that China would have used to request their return as 'terrorists'. Palau doesn't. In fact, they recognize Taiwan and have often been relied upon for pro-US (anti-Palestinian, pro-war) votes in the UN. Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
"The nature of their arrest and detention is such that they are essentially stateless, without documentation and without the benefit of a fresh start will be condemned to languish as innocent men in some form of detention even after the closure of Guantanamo Bay. "The United States Government will bear the cost surrounding this relocation and the Government of Bermuda will facilitate documentation, residence and employment. Bermuda has extended itself in this manner previously. In the 1980s in the wake of the natural disasters and political issues in Vietnam, Bermuda accepted Vietnamese families and they have, for the most part, become a part of this community or have settled overseas. "It is important for everyone to understand that this process in [sic] not complete. I met with His Excellency the Governor this morning, and on behalf of the United Kingdom, he is seeking to further assess the ramifications of this move before allowing the Government of Bermuda to fully implement this action. Our colonial relationship with the United Kingdom certainly gives him license to do so.
"The United States Government will bear the cost surrounding this relocation and the Government of Bermuda will facilitate documentation, residence and employment. Bermuda has extended itself in this manner previously. In the 1980s in the wake of the natural disasters and political issues in Vietnam, Bermuda accepted Vietnamese families and they have, for the most part, become a part of this community or have settled overseas.
"It is important for everyone to understand that this process in [sic] not complete. I met with His Excellency the Governor this morning, and on behalf of the United Kingdom, he is seeking to further assess the ramifications of this move before allowing the Government of Bermuda to fully implement this action. Our colonial relationship with the United Kingdom certainly gives him license to do so.
