20 November 2006
Albania Agrees To Resettle Three Detainees from Guantanamo, November 17, 2006(State’s Casey says Albanian action “is an important humanitarian gesture”)
Washington – Albania has agreed to accept three detainees who had been held at a detention center at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Defense Department has announced.
The Defense Department said November 17 that a Combatant Status Review Tribunal, which reviews the status of every detainee held at Guantanamo Bay, found that an Algerian, an Egyptian and an ethnic Uzbek -- born in the former Soviet Union -- posed no security threat and no longer should be classified as enemy combatants.
The department said the United States has attempted to ensure that the three men will be treated humanely upon their release.
State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said the Albanian government’s agreement to resettle the three individuals “is an important humanitarian gesture.” He said the United States government appreciates Albania’s assistance.
There are now approximately 110 detainees who are eligible for transfer or release after a series of reviews. The United States has been talking to other governments about this effort because it does not want to hold detainees any longer than necessary. Reviews are based on unclassified and classified information and evidence.
The Pentagon said approximately 80 detainees have been released in 2006, but another 430 detainees are still being held at Guantanamo.
The full text of Casey’s statement is available on the State Department Web site. More information about detainee affairs is available on the Defense Department Web site.
For more information about U.S. policy, see Detainee Issues.
