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Uruguay accepts six Guantanamo prisoners for resettlement
Source: Reuters
Uruguay accepts six Guantanamo prisoners for resettlement
BY MATT SPETALNICK
WASHINGTON Sun Dec 7, 2014 7:48am EST
(Reuters) - Six men held for more than a decade at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were flown to Uruguay for resettlement on Sunday, the latest step in a slow-moving push by the Obama administration to close the facility.
The release of four Syrians, a Tunisian and a Palestinian, who arrived in South America aboard a U.S. military transport plane, represented the largest single group to leave the internationally condemned U.S. detention camp since 2009, U.S. officials said.
President Barack Obama took office nearly six years ago promising to shut the prison, citing its damage to America's image around the world. But he has been unable to do so, partly because of obstacles posed by the U.S. Congress.
The transfer to Uruguay had been delayed for months. A move initially planned earlier this year was apparently held up by the Defense Department.
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BY MATT SPETALNICK
WASHINGTON Sun Dec 7, 2014 7:48am EST
(Reuters) - Six men held for more than a decade at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were flown to Uruguay for resettlement on Sunday, the latest step in a slow-moving push by the Obama administration to close the facility.
The release of four Syrians, a Tunisian and a Palestinian, who arrived in South America aboard a U.S. military transport plane, represented the largest single group to leave the internationally condemned U.S. detention camp since 2009, U.S. officials said.
President Barack Obama took office nearly six years ago promising to shut the prison, citing its damage to America's image around the world. But he has been unable to do so, partly because of obstacles posed by the U.S. Congress.
The transfer to Uruguay had been delayed for months. A move initially planned earlier this year was apparently held up by the Defense Department.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/07/us-usa-guantanamo-idUSKBN0JL0A220141207