For years, the EU has called loudly for the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention center. Now that US President Barack Obama has taken the decision to do so, the EU stands ready to provide political and practical support to the US to help achieve that goal.
BRUSSELS – For years, the European Union has called loudly for the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention center. Now that US President Barack Obama has taken the decision to do so, the EU stands ready to provide political and practical support to the United States to help achieve that goal.
We share President Obama’s assessment that “Guantánamo became a symbol that helped Al Qaeda recruit terrorists to its cause. Indeed, the existence of Guantánamo likely created more terrorists around the world than it ever detained.” We in the EU believe that it is our common interest with the US to prevent radicalization and recruitment to terrorism throughout the world.
The primary responsibility for closing Guantánamo and re-settling detainees lies with the US. But Europeans want to help the US turn the page. That is why EU member states have already received their own nationals and former residents from Guantánamo. That is why France recently received an Algerian ex-detainee. And that is why several other EU countries are now considering receiving ex-detainees cleared for release, but who, for compelling reasons, cannot return to their countries of origin. We in the EU expect the US to do likewise; if it is safe to release these people in Europe, it is safe to do so in the US.
To continue reading, register now.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to everything PS has to offer.
Despite an increasingly challenging economic and geopolitical environment, the global economy performed better than expected over the past year. But although analysts’ projections for 2023 were too pessimistic, it appears that consensus forecasts for the coming year may have have swung too far in the opposite direction.
worries that domestic political divisions and market volatility could exacerbate financial vulnerabilities.
BRUSSELS – For years, the European Union has called loudly for the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention center. Now that US President Barack Obama has taken the decision to do so, the EU stands ready to provide political and practical support to the United States to help achieve that goal.
We share President Obama’s assessment that “Guantánamo became a symbol that helped Al Qaeda recruit terrorists to its cause. Indeed, the existence of Guantánamo likely created more terrorists around the world than it ever detained.” We in the EU believe that it is our common interest with the US to prevent radicalization and recruitment to terrorism throughout the world.
The primary responsibility for closing Guantánamo and re-settling detainees lies with the US. But Europeans want to help the US turn the page. That is why EU member states have already received their own nationals and former residents from Guantánamo. That is why France recently received an Algerian ex-detainee. And that is why several other EU countries are now considering receiving ex-detainees cleared for release, but who, for compelling reasons, cannot return to their countries of origin. We in the EU expect the US to do likewise; if it is safe to release these people in Europe, it is safe to do so in the US.
To continue reading, register now.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to everything PS has to offer.
Subscribe
As a registered user, you can enjoy more PS content every month – for free.
Register
Already have an account? Log in