Release
On February 12, 2006 Deutsche Welle reported that Kurnaz' lawyers were hopeful that German authorities were close to negotiating Kurnaz' repatriation. It speculated that the Americans would agree to the release, or transfer, on the condition Kurnaz be subjected to constant surveillance by Germany.
The German magazine Focus reported that the Bush administration was trying to tie the release of Kurnaz to Germany's agreeing to accept four other Guantanamo detainees. The USA has cleared approximately 120 detainees for release - or transfer. But, many could not be returned to their countries of origin because they were likely to face retaliation from their governments.
The German and American governments denied that Kurnaz' release has been tied to Germany accepting other detainees. Focus says that the German government has agreed to accept one other detainee, not four, and that the Americans have not informed the German government of the identity of the other men it wants them to accept.
Kurnaz was released on August 24, 2006. Like other released Guantanamo captives, he was transported by plane in shackles, wearing a muzzle, opaque goggles and sound-blocking ear-muffs. He was reported to have been denied food and water during the 17-hour flight.
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Famous quotes containing the word release:
“The shallow consider liberty a release from all law, from every constraint. The wise man sees in it, on the contrary, the potent Law of Laws.”
—Walt Whitman (1819–1892)
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great recoil,
And the sea grows red with the blood of the dead and reaches for his spoil—
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—John Jerome Rooney (1866–1934)
“If I were to be taken hostage, I would not plead for release nor would I want my government to be blackmailed. I think certain government officials, industrialists and celebrated persons should make it clear they are prepared to be sacrificed if taken hostage. If that were done, what gain would there be for terrorists in taking hostages?”
—Margaret Mead (1901–1978)