Why these men? Why Saudis? Who made this decision? Under what circumstances, and under what pressure? What steps will be taken by our Friend and Ally to ensure that they never return to the jihad?
From AP, with thanks to the Constantinpolitan Irredentist:
The United States will release 16 Saudi Arabian nationals this week from the Guantanamo Bay prison camp for suspected terrorists, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said Wednesday.
An estimated 100 Saudis are being held at the U.S. military prison in Cuba, some of them for more than four years. Their detention has been an irritant in the otherwise improving relationship between the Bush administration and the Saudi kingdom, which U.S. officials say has been helpful in tracking and stopping terrorism since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Most of the 19 hijackers were Saudi.
“It took us how many years to get them back?” Saud told reporters. “It hasn’t been easy.”…
Saud told reporters that the 16 men are the first Saudis to be released, but another Saudi had said late last year that a handful had already been released.
The 16 will be jailed upon their return to Saudi Arabia. Some may eventually go on trial if there is evidence against them, or they could be released after a judicial review, Saud said. He would not release the men’s names.