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?