[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 136 (Thursday, September 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2363]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO PORTUGAL FOR 
       ACCEPTING TWO DETAINEES RELEASED FROM GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 24, 2009

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a 
resolution expressing appreciation to the nation of Portugal for 
accepting two detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. These two Syrian men 
had been cleared by the federal government for release but were unable 
to be sent to their home country, in compliance with international 
human rights law.
  The United States has been working with other countries to effect a 
safe and efficient process for resettling detainees cleared of 
wrongdoing and scheduled for release. This is a complicated and 
difficult process but has resulted in approximately 15 resettled 
detainees since President Obama took office. Two of those went to 
Portugal. Dozens more have been cleared for release but have not yet 
been transferred to a third-party nation.
  In December 2008, Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado announced in 
a public letter to European officials that Portugal was ready to assist 
the United States in resettling released detainees. In doing so, 
Portugal became the first nation to publicly state its willingness to 
take Guantanamo detainees who were not its own nationals. In August 
2009, Portugal accepted the two Syrian released detainees and provided 
homes for them to live freely.
  Madam Speaker, I appreciate Portugal--our friend and ally--assisting 
us in the effort to resolve the complex problem of resettling detainees 
cleared for release. The fact of the matter is that the Bush 
administration's reckless approach to establishing an extrajudicial 
system at Guantanamo has left us grappling with how to humanely and 
effectively resettle detainees who pose no threat to our national 
security. To that end we owe the people of Portugal sincere thanks for 
taking on the responsibility of ensuring the rights and well-being of 
these two resettled detainees, who have been cleared of any wrongdoing. 
Portugal and the United States have set a positive example for the 
safe, efficient, and humane process of resettling former detainees.

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