European governments are discussing accepting detainees from the US Military base at Guantanamo Cuba after the detention facility is closed next year. Should the EU countries agree to accept released detainees it would clear major human rights and political stumbling blocks to the new administration in closing the facility. Many detainees cannot be returned to their home countries for fears that they will be apprehended and tortured upon arrival. However admitting detainees into the United States could cause political problems for the new Obama White House, with accusations of being soft on terror sure to follow from the Republican opposition.

The newly found willingness amongst the nations to assist the United States in closing the infamous prison is seen as a gesture of good will toward the incoming Obama administration. Previous requests by the Bush administration for the European countries to admit the detainees were flatly refused. The sentiment was explained by Karsten Voigt, coordinator of German-American cooperation at the German Foreign Ministry, who told the Washington Post in an interview that Bush “produced the problem” but “With Obama, the difference is he tries to solve it.”

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LINKS:

Washington Post: European Governments Begin Detainee Discussions

BBC News: Germany “mulling Guantanamo move”

Deutsche Welle: Germany considers taking in Guantanamo prisoners