Four Uighurs released to Bermuda – with travel restrictions; Update: Germany declines, Brits furious
posted at 1:35 pm on June 11, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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Yesterday, Salon’s Glenn Greenwald accused me of being fear-gripped for noting that I’d not likely spend a fortune to vacation on an island with released Islamic militants running free. Oddly, the Obama administration seems to be gripped by the same fear. Today they announced the release of four Uighurs to the Bermuda, but imposed travel restrictions that blocks them from entering the US:
The Obama administration put out some seemingly mixed messages on the Uighur transfer, saying that their release to Bermuda would make the US safer, while insisting the government would guard against their travel to the US.
An Obama administration source told ABC News that “the Uighurs will not be able to travel to the United States unless the U.S. government consents in advance.”
The official said by using biometric identification “in our consulates and ports of entry, advance passenger screening systems, and watch lists, we are confident that the United States has the measures in place to assure against such travel.”
Wow! Is Obama another “war-supporting tough guy” who let himself get gripped by fear over a few harmless Uighurs?
The Obama administration has good reason to block their entry to the US, and in fact had good reason to hold the Uighers all along. Thomas Joscelyn explains:
For example, all four of the Uighurs admitted during their combatant status review tribunals (CSRTs) at Gitmo that they received training in the Taliban’s Afghanistan. And all four of them received this training at an ETIM/TIP terrorist training facility in Tora Bora, a key area once controlled by the Taliban and al Qaeda.
Three of the four Uighurs transferred to Bermuda also admitted that they had firsthand ties to senior terrorists such as Hassan Mahsum and Abdul Haq – the leaders of the ETIM/TIP. Haq was recently designated an al Qaeda terrorist by the Obama administration’s Treasury Department, which noted that he is also a member of al Qaeda’s elite Shura council. Mahsum was killed in a Taliban and al Qaeda stronghold in northern Pakistan in 2003.
In other words, they allied themselves with al-Qaeda and the Taliban willingly, at the very least. That’s enough to get disqualified for entry into the US on its own, as well as internal release, which is why the Obama administration eventually fought a judge’s order that would have forced the US to release them in a Washington DC court.
Both Thomas and Jake Tapper note the problem in attaching these conditions. The Europeans have insisted that the US has to allow any Gitmo detainees they take to have the right to travel to the US. That’s understandable for political reasons; after all, why would a German want to take people the US considers to unsafe to admit in our own nation? The travel restrictions on the Uighers, considered the least problematic of the Gitmo detainees, make it pretty clear that the Obama administration doesn’t consider them safe at all — nor should they, considering their history of terrorist training in Tora Bora with AQ and the Taliban.
Update: I guess Germany is fear-gripped, too:
A German government spokesman says the U.S. asked Berlin to consider taking two prisoners from Guantanamo Bay but Germany turned down the request.
The spokesman says the request in late May was not backed up by enough information to prove that the men would pose no threat in Germany. He spoke on condition of anonymity because the U.S. had not made the request public.
If we can’t satisfy that standard, maybe we shouldn’t be releasing them at all. At the risk of being, y’know … fear-gripped, and all.
Update II: Remember how Obama was supposed to right our standing with America’s allies? Ace notes that he’s flopping badly in the UK:
The British Government responded with ill-disguised fury tonight to the news that four Chinese Uighurs freed from Guantanamo Bay had been flown for resettlement on the Atlantic tourist paradise of Bermuda.
The four arrived on Bermuda in the early hours, celebrating the end of seven years of detention after learning that they were to be accepted as guest workers.
But it appears that the Government of Bermuda failed to consult with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on the decision to take in the Uighurs – whose return is demanded by Beijing – and it could now be forced to send them back to Cuba or risk a grave diplomatic crisis.
Bermuda, Britain’s oldest remaining dependency, is one of 14 overseas territories that come under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom, which retains direct responsibility for such matters as foreign policy and security.
So Obama never bothered to consult the British on this release? How incredibly stupid is that?
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I’m shocked. Shocked, I tell you! -_-
Heresy of Cain on June 11, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Brits Furious at Obama.
Shocka.
Maybe someone should tell the Brits to calm down, the adults are in charge over here now.
Breaking News!
Britain transports entire prisoner population to Guam.
White House responds with the following statement: Whats a Guam?
BobMbx on June 11, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Why not place them on one of those Oil Rigs just off the Florida Coast? Ya know, the ones that the Chinese are drilling for Cuba.
PappaMac on June 11, 2009 at 2:28 PM
Bermuda only becomes the middleman in the Uighurs return to China, because it’s not as if the Chinese government won’t find them and drag them back…
fiscallyconservative on June 11, 2009 at 2:28 PM
In your FACE, Britain!
Love,
Obama xoxo
NTWR on June 11, 2009 at 2:28 PM
It’s not a territory.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:28 PM
also don’t forget Bermuda is a tax haven for companies fleeing US Corporate taxes. Recently Obama and the Dems ran off Accenture from Bermuda, except they went to Ireland and their low taxes instead.
He’s got it in for Bermuda and the British in general, no doubt about it.
jp on June 11, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Oh c’mon. The UK doesn’t matter. It’s more important that we make nice with Iran, North Korea, and any other oppressive regime that rules nations in the world.
capejasmine on June 11, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Smart Power!!
PimFortuynsGhost on June 11, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Well , it was an honest mistake , Obama doesn’t speak Bermudian fluent. And he doesn’t like to appear arrogant dictating to other countries.
the_nile on June 11, 2009 at 2:29 PM
First of all, you’re arguing with Salon.com. Get a grip, dude.
Secondly, you’re doing it all wrong. Don’t list how incredibly many millions of people in the world are bigger “cowards” than Ms. Greenwald.
Instead, all you need to do is complement him on HIS bravery – including his implicit offer to provide room and board for the “harmless victims.” And you can even provide a helpful GoogleEarth link to his neighborhood if that guy’s too stupid to figure out how do it on his own.
If a liberal insults you, you can either ignore him or make fun of him. But never EVER defend your manhood to someone who prides himself on being a complete scumbag. You’ve lost that argument before you start; by assuming he has standing to insult you in the first place, you’re treating him as your equal. And nothing good can possible come of that.
logis on June 11, 2009 at 2:29 PM
AND:
Bermuda Government
Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory with a high degree of internal self-government. The official head of state is the Queen, who appoints a Governor to represent her in Bermuda. The Governor is responsible for the police, external affairs, internal security and defence. The current Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, has held office since December 2007.
Bermuda’s system of government is similar to that of the UK. There are two legislative chambers; the House of Assembly and the Senate.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:30 PM
As hinted to above, I’m pretty sure that if we did this, we could get the Chinese to put some pressure on the Norks over the 2 journalists sentenced to 12 years hard labor… I guess Barry would just prefer pay the Norks off.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Upstater, I’m with you all the way. Why not actually negotiate with the Chinese and make a formal understanding: we return all captured Chinese terrorists to their home country for justice, and in exchange we get SERIOUS cooperation with North Korea? (To be fair, I don’t understand why Bush apparently didn’t pursue such an angle either.)
jwolf on June 11, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Agreed.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:30 PM
Bermuda has one of the highest standards of living in the world, another reason this Marxist probably hates it.
Symbol to him of Slavery and Wealth(from exploitation of course)
jp on June 11, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Looks like Bermuda, Bahamas, either way, the Queen should’ve been involved, like, her permission granted one way or the other…
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Eh, I don’t get many things Bush did.
Yeah, I think this is a no-brainer.
This is something we can agree with the ChiComs on.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Come on. Of course he consulted the British. It was all on a note in the boxed set of DVD’s that he gave Gordon Brown.
progressoverpeace on June 11, 2009 at 2:31 PM
It’s about on par with his treatment to date.
I almost find this funny. Can you imagine the reaction had Britian decided to send some its raunchier jihadists to live in Puerto Rico without asking the US first?
ProfessorMiao on June 11, 2009 at 2:32 PM
You know….I find this so incredible. Obama, during the campaign, trashed students here, for not being able to speak French…yet this man, is so freakin clueless, as to what he’s doing, and he’s running a country? How long, before people realize, that the security of this nation is at great risk, and the man they elected, will have us nuked inside of this year.
capejasmine on June 11, 2009 at 2:32 PM
Perhaps she “should” have been involved, but in differing degrees.
Unless you think the Queen should be involved (not symbolically) in Canadian-US trade agreements, I don’t see the argument.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Obama just wants to lend a helping hand to terrorism in the Caribbean. Also, this way, the Uighers can more easily get into and out of Africa, like, say, Kenya, places like that: easy as pie!
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:33 PM
Dude, Bermuda is not in the Caribbean.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Hey, I just thought of something…
Now that we conservatives are considered terrorists, can we cash in on that $12 million relocation to Palau?
Daggett on June 11, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:33 PM
It’s a question of governments. The U.K. is deemed “head of state” (the Queen is, as current Monarch of the U.K.) of Bermuda and Bahamas. Thus, she “should have been involved” to some degree. I dare say I strongly doubt that the U.K. does not want to know what’s going on.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:34 PM
Update: Chinese upset (for quite some time).
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Dude, I know that. Terrorism in the ATLANTIC OCEAN, how’s that? Suit your OCD well enough?
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:35 PM
Again, do you think the Queen should be involved in a non-symbolic way in Canadian politics? Australian?
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:35 PM
I hope this blows up in his face, although not literally, of course.
bluelightbrigade on June 11, 2009 at 2:36 PM
I don’t see how it’s intrinsically easier to get to Africa from Bermuda then say Spain, but yeah, thanks for admitting that.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Smart power…man, the Brits are really gonna hate The One when all is said and done.
CP on June 11, 2009 at 2:36 PM
News flash: It’s not stupid. Obama hates the UK and insults them at every opportunity.
Daggett on June 11, 2009 at 2:36 PM
On the bright side, Bermuda is in Region 1, so the DVD’s will work there.
LibTired (KO) on June 11, 2009 at 2:37 PM
They could send some Michelle Obama Arm Toning DVDs
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:37 PM
Wow, so we get to piss off both our closest and most stalwart ally (UK) and our landlords (China) at the same time! Awesome!
Fallen Sparrow on June 11, 2009 at 2:37 PM
One wonders if he [Barry] can’t help but mention Israel in this whole mess.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:38 PM
During his White House years, William Jefferson Clinton — someone Judge Sonia Sotomayor might call a “white male” — was dubbed “America’s first black president” by a black admirer. Applying the standard of identity politics and pandering to a special interest that earned Mr. Clinton that distinction, Barack Hussein Obama would have to be considered America’s first Muslim president.
This is not to say, necessarily, that Mr. Obama actually is a Muslim any more than Mr. Clinton actually is black. After his five months in office, and most especially after his just-concluded visit to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, however, a stunning conclusion seems increasingly plausible: The man now happy to have his Islamic-rooted middle name featured prominently has engaged in the most consequential bait-and-switch since Adolf Hitler duped Neville Chamberlain over Czechoslovakia at Munich.
MB4 on June 11, 2009 at 2:39 PM
What’s with “again” — your earlier desperate need-to-know or display your powers was already addressed.
And I’m not the Queen of England so why are you asking me what she wants?
I DO BELIEVE as an ordinary American citizen, however, that the Queen of England, the Monarchy of the U.K., WOULD WANT TO KNOW what’s taking place with British territories and whatever else their extensions of government may be called, as to terrorism and relocating terrorists to those areas.
I strongly doubt that the Queen of England, the Monarchy of the U.K., is uninterested and nonplussed about the Uighers being relocated to Bermuda by Obama, and whether or not the U.K. government was informed about this or, more substantially, consulted prior to the act itself, is not something I would imagine that the Queen of England would find uninteresting nor not care a fig about.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:39 PM
+1 – perhaps these terrorist can watch “kumar does Gitmo” while vacationing in Bermuda
jp on June 11, 2009 at 2:40 PM
So we’ve got a pattern here. Palau, Bermuda… Daniel Fried (GITMO closure czar) must have been promising to take he wife on a tropical vacation and bought a travel book. Next? Bora Bora, Fiji, Tahiti…how about we send them to Bikini Atoll…it’s warm, tropical and will be radiation free soon (cosmically speaking, that is)
NickelAndDime on June 11, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Bermuda and Canada are both Commonwealth countries, I believe. From there, the world’s longest open border beckons.
cthulhu on June 11, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Do you need toned arms to press a button?
LibTired (KO) on June 11, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Like I predicted when it opened, Guantanamo has created unwanted blowback. Hyping up captured POWs — people who surrendered on the battlefield — as “the most dangerous of the terrorists” was a stupid idea to begin with.
SouthernGal on June 11, 2009 at 2:40 PM
Bermuda is one of a very few remaining Crown Colonies…and the Brits were not asked beforehand?
coldwarrior on June 11, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Funbelievable.
Chuck Schick on June 11, 2009 at 2:41 PM
Germany, Britain… watch those tires as the bus rolls over your great enthusiasm for that “new era in American foreign policy.”
mankai on June 11, 2009 at 2:41 PM
The wheels of the bus go ’round and ’round…
Daggett on June 11, 2009 at 2:42 PM
At no point were these Gitmo detainees ever granted POW satus.
There is a very large legal distinction between being a POW and a captured non-state combatant.
coldwarrior on June 11, 2009 at 2:43 PM
Apparently my user I.D. just sets you off like pepper up your nose.
Can’t control that, sorry if it’s so, perhaps you should take a deep breath of fresh air instead, might ease your odd intensity here.
Are you asking me some question? Or making some point? I’m not sure what it is…
But here’s a simple hint to help you out: Kenya is a British territory or colony or otherwise manages under British passports and citizenship for those who reside there (whatever the proper term for their relationship with the U.K. is). So are the Bermudas and so are the Bahamas as to the earlier confusion here among some with those two island nations.
Travel is “easier” with a British passport among nations that also issue/accept British passports as to travel, AND, parts of Africa, including Kenya, have known Islam populations, thus making it “easier” for the (Muslim) Uighers to come and go, helpers and such, to and from.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:44 PM
OK, there’s no need getting pissy and calling me OCD when you are the one that is painting all members of the Common Wealth with the same brush. There are different standards to the amount (if any) of involvement the Queen can have in say Canada, Australia, Sri Lanka, India, the Bahamas, and then of course the territory of Bermuda.
Finally, about your point with the Queen being “interested” in what’s going on, I would hope as a decent person she’d want the right thing to be done no matter the past history of any country.
But enough with this. I think we’ve settled all issues concerning the Queen for the day.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Q: Why don’t we just execute all of these admitted terrorists who vow to kill and destroy?
A: Because we are a ‘nation of cowards’.
maryo on June 11, 2009 at 2:45 PM
True. lol
“Figgst du, Deutschland! Ich bin ein Berliner”
bluelightbrigade on June 11, 2009 at 2:45 PM
Apparently not, not as far as what I’ve read so far. Even a few here don’t think it’s even necessary to have done so (I’m not included in that sentiment, however).
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:46 PM
They are not POWs.
MB4 on June 11, 2009 at 2:46 PM
Stick that in your DVD player & on your Ipod UK!!
Signed,
The One.
mizflame98 on June 11, 2009 at 2:47 PM
To be a POW you have to fight with a recognized military organization. Sneaking up at night and planting roadside IEDs while wearing civilian clothes does not make you a soldier and thus, when you are captured, not a POW.
dpierson on June 11, 2009 at 2:47 PM
Produced by George Lucas?
Laura in Maryland on June 11, 2009 at 2:47 PM
“So Obama never bothered to consult the British on this release? How incredibly stupid is that?”
“Incredibly” implies a degree of implausibility, here. I can no longer be surprised by the level of amateurism, incompetence and stupidity of Barry and his merry band of socialists.
Star20 on June 11, 2009 at 2:48 PM
What Britain is really furious about is that the Uighurs got region compatible DVDs as one of their lovely parting gifts.
rbj on June 11, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Kenya is NOT a colony.
OK, fine. I’m OCD when it comes to this.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Not at all, as to you alleging I’m “painting all members of the Common Wealth with the same brush.”
That’s something out of your OCD, part of why you’re quite so flimsy here with nonsense.
If I’ve ever done as much, quote it for me/the public. Which you can’t because I’ve never done such a thing, painted or written or spoken.
I posted two links to, one, the Bahamas and two, the Bermuda governments with their declarations that the British Monarchy (”the Queen” in their language of these current conditions) is recognized as their “head of state”…
And from that, you’ve imagined your entire screed, amazing.
You’re batting minus ten on a scale of crazy or not.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:49 PM
You’re right, they should have been summarily executed as illegal combatants, as per the laws of war.
Rebar on June 11, 2009 at 2:50 PM
For someone who discounts having OCD, you’re sure obsessed with my I.D. and comments here, as also making continually strange and erratic remarks about them, and about me.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:50 PM
I like the way you think.
ladyingray on June 11, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Sending them to a colony…like Gibraltar, same status as Bermuda, is not the same as fopping them off to a Commonwealth country, such as Australia or Canada, wherein the opinion or permission of the Crown (read: Queen Elizabeth II) would be a matter of accepted protocol under international custom and law.
But you do raise a point that is often missed…Commonwealth passports.
Makes it easier for the Uighurs if they are granted passports and not more restrictive travel permits to travel to any other Commonwealth nation, Kenya as well, and from their beyond…the globe’s the limit.
coldwarrior on June 11, 2009 at 2:52 PM
Stop using facts. I don’t think this bint can comprehend such complex statements.
PimFortuynsGhost on June 11, 2009 at 2:53 PM
…from there beyond…
coldwarrior on June 11, 2009 at 2:54 PM
AND DID I NOT DECLARE WHEN I REFERRED EARLIER TO KENYA THAT IT WAS OF SOME GOVERNMENTAL CONTROL (”whatever it is named/called”) in relationship with the U.K.?
I acknowledged in doing so that I’m not a Grand Poobah of British Governmental controls or Informational High Command and that however or whatever the relationship was as to Kenya with the U.K., that there WAS, however, a relationship of a governmental nature between the two nations (Kenya, the U.K.).
Persons born in Kenya, for example, are considered British subjects, have British citizenship. How the U.K. government works that out, and Kenya manages that, is up to them.
And I wrote as much earlier, which any reasonable person can easily recognize. You didn’t, which places you outside that group.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Clearly I just said I have OCD. Yeah, if by OCD you mean agreeing that Kenya is not a colony. As far as the strange comments, well, I did say you didn’t need to get all pissy, but alas, it would seem I’m the only crazy nut getting all pissy and insisting that in fact Kenya is not a British colony.
*my palm slaps forehead*
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:54 PM
Oh please! As a longtime resident of Southern California, I know just how effective the U.S. government is at keeping people out who have no right to enter the country. Ten to fifteen percent of the local population where I live somehow managed to get here despite the “passenger screening systems and watch lists” that we can supposedly rely on to keep us safe from the Uighurs.
The Zero lives in a fantasy world, but we’re all going to pay for it.
Cicero43 on June 11, 2009 at 2:54 PM
I’d be fine with that.
SouthernGal on June 11, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Could we trade the Bermuda 4 for Al’s Gals. Two for one is a pretty sweet deal, and the rest from Palau deliverable after the dismantling of the entire NK nuclear program.
Laura in Maryland on June 11, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Thanks, that was the point and remains the point I am concerned about and raised earlier.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:55 PM
CRAZY
Imagine that!
Do you hate the Queen?
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Yep, you’re a sufferer of OCD.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:55 PM
I’d go for it. We should as SouthernGal what she thinks…
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Waht, exactly, is your problem? If anyone here has expressed anything about “the Queen,” it is entirely in the respectful, appreciative and dutiful fashion.
You should be careful with calling other people “crazy”.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:57 PM
I’m just crazy. Crazy I tell you.
I don’t know what comes over me.
I just can’t help it.
It’s probably because I am not educated on world geography and insist that Bermuda is in the Caribbean…
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:57 PM
They really sent them to Bermuda without considering that the UK may have a problem with it and they should at least notify them?
What’s wrong with these people?
Joe Caps on June 11, 2009 at 2:57 PM
Well, if by calling other people crazy you mean I am referring to my second half, then yes, I have done that.
I’m crazy.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 2:58 PM
That sums things up nicely.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 2:58 PM
The status of a “colony” conveys certain agreed upon responsibilities and actions required when other nations inteeract with that colony, and the British Foreign Office at the very lesast shoulkd have been queried first…and the matter approcved first.
Bermuda is not an independent nation. Canada, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, et al., are independent nations, but are, by dint of their former colonial status, also members of the Commonwealth. They can have their own foreign policy all they wish, but that little Commonwealth passport thingie…it is gold in the hands of those who need or want one.
Just ask all of those East Asians crowding British neighborhoods how wonderful that EZ-pass Commonwealth passport worked for them to get out of where they were to where they are now.
coldwarrior on June 11, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Yes, you do have OCD and yes, you are crazy.
On that note, anyone else can read what I and others have written here and well recognize that they don’t fit your narrow “rewritten” skewered perceptions about what you need them to have “meant” but which they never expressed.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 3:00 PM
And the info-valuable ones we didn’t kill should “disappeared” while being listed as KIA.
bluelightbrigade on June 11, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Alas poor Sears Tower. I knew it well.
MaiDee on June 11, 2009 at 3:01 PM
Don’t ask – Don’t tell
dpierson on June 11, 2009 at 3:02 PM
He has no experience and is surrounded by a bunch of astro-turfing hacks from his campaign who have (like him) never run a freaking lemonade stand.
I don’t blame the Brits for being furious. Great way to promote tourism!
Buy Danish on June 11, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Yeah, the common wealth has served many impoverished well – although it clearly didn’t foresee some of the current problems.
That said, my friends from Sri Lanka and India scoff whenever I bring up the Common Wealth. They look at it as nothing more than a formality and a nice way to play cricket with their neighbors.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Weapons grade stupid.
The_Real_JeffS on June 11, 2009 at 3:03 PM
And funfortunate, too!
Fallen Sparrow on June 11, 2009 at 3:03 PM
We should all return to the issue of the thread and forget the troller’s tangents…
The Uighers are being or have been sent off to the Bermudas and it does not appear (whether or not) the British Monarchy is aware, was consulted, granted agreement with the plan, etc. The Queen certainly, however, is aware, is my guess, it’s just not in the news, and, Brown, the Prime Minister of England, certainly also aware and discussed such with the Queen accordingly.
I find it remarkable that the Uighers were sent there, however, that the U.K. and the Bermuda government would agree to it.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 3:03 PM
You should be proud, Ed. When you are getting targeted by liberal accusations, you know you are doing something right.
You might want to recheck your definition of POWs. From my understanding, the majority, if not all, of the detainees at Gitmo are categorically not defined as Prisoners of War. They fail to meet the most basic qualifications needed to be categorized as such: they do not wear uniforms, they do not openly carry arms, etc. Since they do not qualify as POWs, they are not entitled to the protections guaranteed under the Geneva convention, as ratified by the US. At best, some might qualify as non-combatants, but most would be classified as spies or saboteurs. The traditional penalty for that has been being summarily executed.
coyoterex on June 11, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Hmmmm… I don’t know… so this is an actual question…
What is Bermuda’s relationship with the EU then? As Bermuda kinda belongs to the Queen… and the Queen’s Great Britain is now part of the EU…
Because you are supposed to have cross border rights if you are belong to an EU member state… and can live anywhere in the Eu…
Wow… what a mess…
Romeo13 on June 11, 2009 at 3:04 PM
You predicted when they opened Guantanamo???
Way back in 1907?? Wow…Impressive.
BigWyo on June 11, 2009 at 3:04 PM
No real need to consult with or even advise the Brits. Barry-O is King of the World after all. Probably thought nobody would notice.
If this sort of ham-handed, down-your-throat political policy isn’t enough to get the Queen (the real one, not Michelle O) seriously hacked off at us, I can’t see what would.
I’ve got 37 acres of property, heavily forested. Send ‘em here. Plenty of soft soil for hiding the evidence.
redneckjoe on June 11, 2009 at 3:05 PM
Aren’t travel restrictions a violation of their “Human Rights”?
We all know the only reason they would want to travel the the United States is to pick lettuce, because that is one of the jobs Americans won’t do.
DeathB4Tyranny on June 11, 2009 at 3:06 PM
What about say Reunion or French Guiana?
Yeah, it’s all tricky.
Upstater85 on June 11, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Overseas Departments of France. Different set of standards entirely.
coldwarrior on June 11, 2009 at 3:08 PM
Obviously, the possibilities if not strong liklihood of the Uighers now migrating to anywhere is advanced strongly, and that’s the key issue many of us have tried to point out. The idea that the Uighers or any terrorists are going to observe “travel restrictions” from an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean is absurd (or from any other location outside of Guantanamo).
Maybe Obama thinks his “strong words” will have ensured the Uighers will not roam ~too far~ from the Bermudas.
Lourdes on June 11, 2009 at 3:09 PM
President? I think the term is more accuratly “RANK AMATEUR”…
The position may be the most powerful in the world, but the person holding it is anything but…
right2bright on June 11, 2009 at 3:10 PM
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