Ayotte Statement on Transfer of Guantanamo Detainees to Kazakhstan

Statement

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) released the following statement today regarding the Obama administration's transfer of five Guantanamo Bay detainees to Kazakhstan:

"The administration transferred five Guantanamo detainees to Kazakhstan this week, and according to public reports, at least three of them were members of or had fought with al Qaeda and one of them was a military adviser to Osama bin Laden who battled U.S. and allied forces at Tora Bora. Based on their links to al Qaeda, it is very likely that one or more of them will return to terrorism against the U.S. and our allies.

"This latest transfer comes on the heels of the recent transfer of four detainees to Afghanistan, whom public reports say are already back with their families.

"I am deeply troubled by the administration's continued transfer of dangerous terrorists from Guantanamo. When the administration transfers a Guantanamo detainee who was formerly assessed as a high risk for reengagement in terrorism, the onus is on the administration to explain openly to the American people what has changed.

"A failure to do so suggests the administration is more interested in emptying Guantanamo so that it can close it, rather than protecting the national security interests of the United States and the lives of Americans.

"With almost 30 percent of former Guantanamo detainees having reengaged or suspected of reengaging in terrorism, it is difficult to understand the Obama administration's national security rationale for transferring detainees who were members of al Qaeda and affiliated groups-including one detainee who reportedly served as a military advisor to bin Laden and battled U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

"The United States must take every possible measure to prevent former detainees from returning to the battlefield. When there are reports that former detainees-who were members of al Qaeda and affiliated groups-are 'free men' within hours or days of their transfer, it only underscores the recklessness of the administration's policy.

"The safety of Americans, not the fulfillment of a misguided campaign promise, should guide national security decisions."

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