WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is preparing to free into the United States several Chinese Muslims imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the first release of any of the detainees into this country, current and U.S. former officials said.
The release is seen as a crucial step to plans announced by President Barack Obama during his first week in office to close the prison and relocate the detainees. Administration officials also consider settling some of the detainees in American communities a vital step to setting an example for the world.
However, the decision to release the Chinese Muslims, known as Uighurs, (pronounced WEE-gers) is not final and faces challenges within the government, as well as likely public opposition.
As well, the move would incense Chinese officials, who consider the Uighurs domestic terrorists and want those held at Guantanamo handed over for investigation. U.S. officials no longer consider the Chinese Muslims to be enemy combatants and fear they would be mistreated in China.
There are 17 Uighurs at Guantanamo. A U.S. official familiar with the discussions about their release said five to seven could be resettled in the U.S., possibly in two or more small groups. Officials have not said where in the U.S. they might live.
However, many Uighur immigrants live in Washington’s Virginia suburbs, and advocates have urged that the detainees be resettled near people who speak their language and are familiar with their customs.
The Uighurs at Guantanamo Bay were sent there in 2002 after being captured in Pakistan. Before that, they gravitated to Afghanistan, where they received firearms training at a camp apparently run by a Uighur separatist.
Some former U.S. officials have said government information indicates the Uighurs may pose a danger if released, but other officials and human rights organizations insist they pose no threat to the Americans.
