http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-gitmo25oct25,0,6343533.story?coll=la-home-worldSaudi prisoner release gives U.S. pause
The 29 ex-inmates from Guantanamo, freed for Ramadan, are to return to jail soon in the kingdom.
U.S. officials, apparently caught off guard by the Saudi government's recent release of more than two dozen former Guantanamo Bay prisoners, are voicing fears that the men will join the camp of violent extremist groups.
The Saudis released the 29 men from jail for observance of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and atonement, with instructions to return to custody by the end of this month.
Saudi officials said that although the men were still under investigation for possible terrorist ties, they were not considered serious threats. "Throwing people in jail and letting them rot is not the answer," said Nail Jubeir, spokesman for the Saudi Embassy in Washington.
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The kingdom's decision to temporarily release the 29 men illustrates the limits of U.S. influence as the Bush administration seeks to shrink the population of Guantanamo by transferring prisoners to other nations. And it underscores how differently the U.S. and other countries, including Britain and Germany, perceive the danger posed by former detainees.
Of the 437 captives at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, 110 have been cleared for release to their home countries, and more are being added to the list. Officials have said fewer than 100 prisoners will face military tribunals, leaving 200 or more to be repatriated.
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sadly laughing insanely