UK Seeks Release of Inmates from Guantanamo Bay
By Raza Mumtaz 'Pakistan Times' Executive Editor/UK Bureau Chief

LONDON (UK): The British Government has decided to seek release from Guantanamo Bay of five men who though not UK nationals but were legally staying here prior to their detention.

According to a Foreign and Commonwealth Office media release, Foreign Secretary David Miliband has written to his US counterpart Condoleezza Rice to make a formal request.

The press release said the British Government welcomes recent steps taken by the US Government to reduce the numbers of those detained at Guantanamo Bay and to move towards the closure of the detention facility.

These steps include an increasing emphasis on engagement with third countries over the transfer and resettlement of those detained.

“The Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary have reviewed the Government’s approach to this group of individuals in light of these ongoing developments, our long-held policy aim of securing the closure of Guantanamo Bay, and the need to maintain national security.

They have decided to request the release and return of the five detainees who have links to the UK as former residents, having been granted refugee status, indefinite leave or exceptional leave to remain prior to their detention.

The detainees have been named as Shaker Aamer, Jamil El Banna, Omar Deghayes, Binyam Mohamed and Abdennour Sameur.

It was noted that discussions with the US Government about the release and return of these five men may take some time.

“The Government will of course continue to take all necessary measures to maintain national security. Should these men be returned to the UK, the same security considerations and actions will apply to them as would apply to any other foreign national in this country,” said the press release.

By January 2005, the British Government had secured the release and return of all the UK nationals detained in Guantanamo Bay.●