02/07/2006
By Philip Sherwell
The US is stepping up pressure on Britain to take back eight terror suspects held in Guantanamo Bay, following the court defeat over special military panels for detainees. John Bellinger, the chief legal adviser to the Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, has begun talks with British diplomats over the repatriation of the men, who, although not Britons, have residency rights in the UK. Efforts are also being made to repatriate others who have European residency. Washington is frustrated at Britain's criticism of Guantanamo, while it fails to help reduce numbers at the detention centre. Officials accompanying President Bush to this month's G8 summit are expected to urge their British counterparts to agree a deal. The Foreign Office secured the release of five British detainees, but has shown no interest in the return of those who only have UK residency rights. Lawyers for some of the eight recently sought a judicial review of the Foreign Office's policy. The men's return to Britain would create a dilemma for the Government, which would have to decide what to do with them. The men, all Muslims, are either asylum seekers from countries such as Algeria and Libya, or long-term residents with close British relatives. Clive Stafford Smith, the lawyer for five of the detainees, said: "The Government does not want to have anything to do with these people, but it will come under increasing pressure from the US to accept them back, as otherwise the Americans will argue that this is stopping them closing Guantanamo." Only 10 detainees, including Binyam Mohammed, a former London schoolboy, have been charged so far. White House plans to try 80 of about 460 prisoners were outlawed by the Supreme Court ruling.
SOURCE: The Telegraph |
