According to the Washington Times today, Palau (one of a handful of countries that does not recognize China and maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan) agreed to accept the17 Uighurs that have been housed in Guantanamo since being captured in a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan. Palau is a former U.S. trust territory in the Pacific that became independent in 1994 when it signed a Free Compact of Association with the U.S. While it is independent, it relies heavily on U.S. aid and is dependent on the United States for its defense. Native-born Palauans are allowed to enter the United States without passports or visas.
The article points out:
"Two U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. was prepared to give Palau up to $200 million in development, budget support and other assistance in return for accepting the Uighurs and as part of a mutual defense and cooperation treaty that is due to be renegotiated this year."
These people may be as pure as the wind-driven snow, but the fact remains that they were captured in Afghanistan in a terrorist training camp. Shouldn't we be thinking about why they were there and what the learned during their stay?
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