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| US call over Guantanamo detainees | US call over Guantanamo detainees |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The US State Department's chief legal adviser has challenged foreign governments to stop calling for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay camp. | |
| In an interview with the BBC, John Bellinger said they should instead start helping to resettle some of the more than 400 prisoners held there. | In an interview with the BBC, John Bellinger said they should instead start helping to resettle some of the more than 400 prisoners held there. |
| He said no-one was comfortable with the situation and the US had been trying to repatriate prisoners for a long time. | He said no-one was comfortable with the situation and the US had been trying to repatriate prisoners for a long time. |
| He also said some detainees could face military trials next year. | He also said some detainees could face military trials next year. |
| 'Practical ways' | 'Practical ways' |
| President Bush may have celebrated the signing of a new law this week allowing the US to push ahead with military trials at Guantanamo, but foreign governments, including allies, continue to be a thorn in his side. | President Bush may have celebrated the signing of a new law this week allowing the US to push ahead with military trials at Guantanamo, but foreign governments, including allies, continue to be a thorn in his side. |
| If we really want to reduce the numbers to send people back, progress cannot be made by just simply saying Guantanamo should be closed John Bellinger | If we really want to reduce the numbers to send people back, progress cannot be made by just simply saying Guantanamo should be closed John Bellinger |
| Just last week, Britain's Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett issued the latest demand to close the camp, calling it unacceptable and saying it fuels Islamic radicalism. | Just last week, Britain's Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett issued the latest demand to close the camp, calling it unacceptable and saying it fuels Islamic radicalism. |
| But John Bellinger said that it was not enough to criticise when many countries were refusing to take back detainees. | But John Bellinger said that it was not enough to criticise when many countries were refusing to take back detainees. |
| "No one's comfortable with the situation in Guantanamo," he said. | "No one's comfortable with the situation in Guantanamo," he said. |
| "But if we really want to reduce the numbers to send people back, progress cannot be made by just simply saying Guantanamo should be closed." | "But if we really want to reduce the numbers to send people back, progress cannot be made by just simply saying Guantanamo should be closed." |
| "We have to have practical suggestions, practical ways to move forward." | "We have to have practical suggestions, practical ways to move forward." |
| While all nine British nationals held in Guantanamo have returned home, the UK government has been reluctant to take former British residents still held there. | While all nine British nationals held in Guantanamo have returned home, the UK government has been reluctant to take former British residents still held there. |
| British officials say there are nine; US officials count 10. | British officials say there are nine; US officials count 10. |
| Other countries have blamed the US for delays in releasing inmates found not to be a threat. | Other countries have blamed the US for delays in releasing inmates found not to be a threat. |
| There are more than 400 men held at Guantanamo from some 40 countries. | There are more than 400 men held at Guantanamo from some 40 countries. |
| John Bellinger said he expects that military trials will begin sometime next year. It is expected that between 60 and 80 prisoners will face trial. | John Bellinger said he expects that military trials will begin sometime next year. It is expected that between 60 and 80 prisoners will face trial. |
| Critics argue that the new Military Commissions Act denies the prisoners fair trials and that the interrogation methods permitted remain opaque. | Critics argue that the new Military Commissions Act denies the prisoners fair trials and that the interrogation methods permitted remain opaque. |