Closing Guantanamo Bay...
...not that easy, writes Michael Buchanan:
"On tonight's programme, the extraordinary story of Adel Hakimjan. He's a Chinese Uighir man who has spent much of the past decade travelling the world against his wishes.
Having fled persecution in China - accused by the authorities of plotting against Chinese rule of his homeland - he was arrested in Pakistan in late 2001 by bounty hunters who handed him to the Americans, claiming he was a foreign terrorist. Having spent 6 months in a detention facility in Afghanistan, he was flown to Guantanamo Bay where he spent almost 4 years. There he was cleared of being a threat to the US - or indeed much of a threat to anyone - but had to remain in custody while a safe haven was found for him. Adel, like all the 22 Uighirs detained at Guantanamo Bay, feared persecution if they returned to China. Eventually Albania said they'd take him but, frightened that the Chinese would "pay someone to harm us without being directly involved itself," he managed to get to Sweden where his sister, Kauser, lives:
The Swedes have so far refused him permission to stay there but he's appealing and his lawyer is hopeful. But his plight shows that closing Guantanamo Bay will not be as easy as Barack Obama - and indeed most of the world - would like it to be. "
Listen to PM
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~41~RS~)
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Is, what we're saying that this fellow was imprisoned for a prolonged period by the Americans on SUSPICION only.
Years later, when no evidence against him could be found he still had to remain in jail..?
Why hasn't he now received a US Passport and SUBSTANTIAL monetary compensation?
He can then always leave the US if he wants but no compensation..?
Disgraceful.
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Adel Hakimjan
Strange to think that those who've committed MAJOR financial crimes and those thought to be resposible for the most horrendous damage to society world-wide are allowed bail.
But you...
"Michael Hiltzik:
Financial scoundrels have little to fear from the law
If experience is any guide, the titans behind the system's meltdown, and the regulators who watched it take shape, won't pay for their irresponsibility".
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik12-2009jan12,0,1077249.column
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Adel Hakimjan
Odd to think that the choice over a couple of dogs, attracts far more comments than your predicament.
Mind you, one of the "hounds" has, it seems, been around since 1297...
"The Times
January 12, 2009
Obamas face choice between two dogs: a labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound"
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5497602.ece
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I thought this piece was very interesting in looking at the plight of this specific group of individuals with no safe home to go to. I wonder what life has been like for those innocent detainees not in this rather specifc situaion who have been released so far. I'd certainly be interested in a piece on that.
I also felt that PM handled the interviews re. the Prince Harry debate very well although I agree that rather a long timne was spent on it and I too noticed the lack of anything to do with Gaza on the programme.
I recognise that there is always something pressing and important which is not discussed (Zimbabwe being a case in point) but whilst the situation in Gaza persists I want to know, on a daily basis, how close we are to an end to the current round of bloodshed.
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Eddie (Michael Buchanan)
The chances of closing Guantanamo Bay is pretty good, but, also...Where are these people going to be sent too i.e. location of there future homelands...
~Dennis Junior~
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