ADDING to post no. 67:
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/newsroom/latest-news/?view=PressS&id=13834737
Agreement from US to return Mr Mohamed to the UK (20/02/2009)
Foreign Secretary David Miliband released a statement 20 February 2009 announcing an agreement from the US to return Mr Binyam Mohamed to the UK.
Read the statement
The UK and US Governments have reached agreement on the transfer of Mr Binyam Mohamed from Guantanamo Bay to the UK. He will be returned as soon as the practical arrangements can be made. This result follows recent discussions between the British and US Governments and a medical assessment, undertaken by a UK doctor, that Mr Mohamed is medically fit to return.
The UK Government requested the release and return of all former legal UK residents detained at Guantanamo Bay in August 2007. The Home Secretary and I took this decision in light of work by the US Government to reduce the number of those detained at Guantanamo with the aim of closing the facility and our wish to offer practical and concrete support to those efforts. In reaching this decision we gave full consideration to the need to maintain national security and the Government’s overriding responsibilities in this regard.
Mr Mohamed’s return does not constitute a commitment by the Home Secretary that he may remain permanently in the UK. His immigration status will be reviewed following his return and the same security considerations will apply to him as would apply to any other foreign national in this country. As always, all appropriate steps will be taken to protect national security.
ADDING to post no. 69:
February 23, 2009
Note: The following text is a quote:
http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2009/February/09-opa-150.html
United States Transfers Binyam Mohammed to United Kingdom
WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice today announced the transfer to the United Kingdom of Binyam Mohammed, an Ethiopian national and former resident of the United Kingdom who had been held at the Guantanamo detention facility since 2004.
As directed by the Executive Order issued by President Obama on January 22, 2009, an interagency panel has reviewed Mohammed’s case and determined that his transfer, pursuant to an arrangement between the United States and the United Kingdom, is consistent with the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States and the interests of justice.
“The friendship and assistance of the international community is vitally important as we work to close Guantanamo, and we greatly appreciate the efforts of the British government to work with us on the transfer of Binyam Mohammed,” said Attorney General Eric Holder.
Mohammed is the first Guantanamo detainee to be transferred under the review of all Guantanamo detainees directed by the President. He departed Guantanamo aboard a United Kingdom aircraft Sunday night and arrived in the United Kingdom today.
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