From the US DoD:
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No: NR-015-15
January 14, 2015And there's this:
Detainee Transfer Announced
The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Al Khadr Abdallah Muhammad Al Yafi, Fadel Hussein Saleh Hentif, Abd Al-Rahman Abdullah Au Shabati, and Mohammed Ahmed Salamfrom the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to Oman.
As directed by the president’s Jan. 22, 2009, executive order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of this case. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, these men were unanimously approved for transfer by the six departments and agencies comprising the task force.
In accordance with statutory requirements, the secretary of defense informed Congress of the United States’ intent to transfer these individuals and of his determination that this transfer meets the statutory standard.
The United States is grateful to the Government of Oman for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The United States coordinated with the Government of Oman to ensure these transfers took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.
Today, 122 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No: NR-016-15
January 14, 2015
Detainee Transfer Announced
The Department of Defense announced today the transfer of Akhmed Abdul Qadir from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to Estonia.
As directed by the president’s Jan. 22, 2009, executive order, the interagency Guantanamo Review Task Force conducted a comprehensive review of this case. As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including security issues, this man was unanimously approved for transfer by the six departments and agencies comprising the task force.
In accordance with statutory requirements, the secretary of defense informed Congress of the United States’ intent to transfer this individual and of his determination that this transfer meets the statutory standard.
The United States is grateful to the Government of Estonia for its humanitarian gesture and willingness to support ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The United States coordinated with the Government of Estonia to ensure these transfers took place consistent with appropriate security and humane treatment measures.
Today, 122 detainees remain at Guantanamo Bay.
These days, as MIC pretty much opens the exit doors of GITMO, it is being bandied around that the recidivism rate of these detainees is 30%. That is supposed to reassure us that none of these being set free are a threat to anybody. I don't believe that at all, since over the last few years that number has gone as high as 60%+.
Pardon my cynicism, but what this stinks of to me, is all politics all the time, with absolutely no regard for the safety and security of the US.
The current POTUS is infamous for his 'I have a pen and a phone' policies, as he demonstrates his determination to keep his 2007/8 election promises.
On his second day in office, Obama signed a bill to close the gates of GITMO. Here we are, six years later and only NOW are the politicians making noises about slowing down the release of those who were considered enemies of America.
"Facing serious opposition... some of these detainees might end up back on the battlefield"????
All well and good to be introducing bills now, BUT where the hell have these politicians been for the last six years? Introduction of a bill to slow down the POTUS in his stated goals of releasing residents of GITMO, is a good thing (albeit very belated) but in fact he is just the public face of this insanity. Yes, it is HIS ideology pushing the move, but his politically-motivated actions are aided and abetted - rubber-stamped if you will - by a number of agencies.
Check out the GITMO Review Task Force. According to a 2010 report, the Department of Justice, Department of Defense, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and Joint Chiefs of Staff all are supposedly signing off on these releases. Go read that report.
All of this, in my opinion, is to provide cover for Obama's clearly stated goal of "ongoing U.S. efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility." THAT phrase is included in the above announcement, and should leave no doubt in anybody's mind as to what this ongoing exodus from GITMO is all about:America's national defense and security? No. Obama's political agenda to further his own ideology? Check.
Business as usual for this White House: All politics, all the time.