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Five Guantánamo Prisoners Are Released to Kazakhstan Five Guantánamo Prisoners Are Released to Kazakhstan
(35 minutes later)
WASHINGTON — The United States transferred five detainees from the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to Kazakhstan, the Defense Department announced late Tuesday. It was the last in a flurry of year-end moves as President Obama sought to fulfill his promise to close the American-run prison.WASHINGTON — The United States transferred five detainees from the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to Kazakhstan, the Defense Department announced late Tuesday. It was the last in a flurry of year-end moves as President Obama sought to fulfill his promise to close the American-run prison.
The five former detainees — three Yemenis and two Tunisians — are “free men” for all intents and purposes after the transfer, a senior official in the Obama administration said. Officials declined to disclose the security assurances reached between the United States and Kazakhstan or detail how the men would be prevented from returning to battlefields in Afghanistan or Pakistan.The five former detainees — three Yemenis and two Tunisians — are “free men” for all intents and purposes after the transfer, a senior official in the Obama administration said. Officials declined to disclose the security assurances reached between the United States and Kazakhstan or detail how the men would be prevented from returning to battlefields in Afghanistan or Pakistan.
With the move, 28 detainees have been transferred this year from Guantánamo to other countries, including Uruguay and Afghanistan, administration officials said.With the move, 28 detainees have been transferred this year from Guantánamo to other countries, including Uruguay and Afghanistan, administration officials said.
It is the biggest number since 2009, when Mr. Obama assumed office and began trying to make good on his campaign promise to close the prison, which top administration officials have characterized as a blight on the country’s international standing. There are 127 prisoners at Guantánamo.It is the biggest number since 2009, when Mr. Obama assumed office and began trying to make good on his campaign promise to close the prison, which top administration officials have characterized as a blight on the country’s international standing. There are 127 prisoners at Guantánamo.
Some Defense Department officials have expressed concern that prisoners released from the prison may return to take on the American troops who remain in Afghanistan.Some Defense Department officials have expressed concern that prisoners released from the prison may return to take on the American troops who remain in Afghanistan.
Administration officials identified the three Yemenis released as Asim Thahit Abdullah al-Khalaqi, Muhammed Ali Hussein Khnenah and Sabri Mohammed Ebrahim al-Qurashi. They were captured by Pakistani troops in 2001 and handed over to the American authorities. The three have been at Guantánamo for more than 12 years and were recommended for release almost five years ago by Mr. Obama’s national security team. Administration officials identified the three Yemenis released as Asim Thabit Abdullah al-Khalaqi, Muhammad Ali Husayn Khanayna and Sabri Mohammad Ibrahim Al Qurashi. They were captured by Pakistani troops in 2001 and handed over to the American authorities. The three have been at Guantánamo for more than 12 years and were recommended for release almost five years ago by Mr. Obama’s national security team.
The Tunisians were identified as Adel bin Ahmed bin Ibrahim Hkiml, who had been held for 12 years 10 months, and Lotfi bin Ali, held for 11 years 10 months. The Tunisians were identified as Adel al-Hakeemy, who had been held for 12 years 10 months, and Abdullah bin Ali al-Lufti, held for 11 years and 10 months.
The transfer comes a week after Cliff Sloan, Mr. Obama’s envoy for detainee transfers, announced his resignation. His departure is a blow to White House efforts to close the military prison. Mr. Sloan, a Washington lawyer and confidant of Secretary of State John Kerry, had grown frustrated with the slow pace of transfers, administration officials said, a pace that has picked up only in recent weeks.The transfer comes a week after Cliff Sloan, Mr. Obama’s envoy for detainee transfers, announced his resignation. His departure is a blow to White House efforts to close the military prison. Mr. Sloan, a Washington lawyer and confidant of Secretary of State John Kerry, had grown frustrated with the slow pace of transfers, administration officials said, a pace that has picked up only in recent weeks.
There has been friction between the White House and the Defense Department over the transfers, with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, who resigned under pressure in November, insisting that he would not be hurried in moving the prisoners to other countries.There has been friction between the White House and the Defense Department over the transfers, with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, who resigned under pressure in November, insisting that he would not be hurried in moving the prisoners to other countries.
In May, Susan E. Rice, Mr. Obama’s national security adviser, sent Mr. Hagel a memo pressuring him to pick up the pace, but Mr. Hagel told reporters during a flight to Alaska at the time that he was in no rush to approve deals.In May, Susan E. Rice, Mr. Obama’s national security adviser, sent Mr. Hagel a memo pressuring him to pick up the pace, but Mr. Hagel told reporters during a flight to Alaska at the time that he was in no rush to approve deals.
“My name is going on that document; that’s a big responsibility,” Mr. Hagel had said, adding: “What I’m doing is, I’m taking my time. I owe that to the American people, to ensure that any decision I make is, in my mind, responsible.”“My name is going on that document; that’s a big responsibility,” Mr. Hagel had said, adding: “What I’m doing is, I’m taking my time. I owe that to the American people, to ensure that any decision I make is, in my mind, responsible.”
An administration official said Tuesday that the White House had not decided on a replacement for Mr. Sloan.An administration official said Tuesday that the White House had not decided on a replacement for Mr. Sloan.