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| Britain |
| Guantanamo Britons are still a threat, says Blair |
| 2004-11-14 |
| Tony Blair reignited the row over Guantanamo Bay last night by claiming that former British detainees had been "causing difficulties again" after their release. The Prime Minister's unexpected comments, in a television interview, came as it was confirmed that the five former terrorism suspects freed this year from the US military base on Cuba are the subject of round-the-clock police surveillance. A senior Whitehall official said that the men were under suspicion and claimed that the activities of more than one was "worrying" police. Mr Blair's remarks were immediately branded "highly defamatory, misleading and irresponsible" by Gareth Peirce, the solicitor for three of the former detainees. She [sic - actually is a woman] called on the Prime Minister to give a full clarification. After his talks with President George W Bush at the White House, Mr Blair was asked by Adam Boulton, the Sky TV political editor, whether the four Britons still at Guantanamo Bay would also be sent home. Mr Blair replied: "We are in discussions with them. It's difficult, because we have to make sure our own security is going to be properly protected if we have people back in this country. As you know, there have been incidents of people who have been back and causing difficulties again, so you need to be careful." Snipped - Usual solicitors' 'butter wouldn't melt' bullshit. Iqbal, Rasul, Ahmed and al-Harith have started legal action for £5.5 million damages against the US government, alleging torture. A relative of Mr Dergoul, said last night: "After the disgusting treatment of Tarek at the hands of the Americans, he has one arm and is severely traumatised and cannot cope with life. One arm?! When was that picked up? Must've been a while after he got back. No one mentioned it before. Bit of an oversight by the PR people. What kind of criminal act does Mr Blair think that he can carry out?" I'm stumped. Does Sharia take an interest in traditionally one-armed activities? The five were flown to London last March and released without charge after being interrogated. The four Britons still in Cuba, Feroz Abassi, Moazzam Begg, Martin Mubanga and Richard Belmar, expect to face charges within six weeks. |
| Posted by:Bulldog |
| #1 I see that the UK has it's share of LLL lawyers to deal with too. I wonder if the US can counter with charges of unlawful travel and aiding terrorists? Or does anyone believe these five just went out to the market and mistakenly ended up in Afghanistan armed with a Ak-47? |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2004-11-14 7:37:15 AM |