Why is Obama sending the Uighurs to Palau?

By Annie Lowrey

As of yesterday, relatively few Americans had ever heard of the tiny island nation of Palau. Indeed, the Pacific archipelago, home to just 20,000, was probably most famous for hosting the 10th season of the CBS Survivor series, which played up its lushly tropical islands and crystal clear waters.

The Uighurs had posed a conundrum for the Obama administration. In 2005, they were declared "no longer enemy combatants"; two years ago, a review board said they were "approved for release." But if sent to China, the Uighurs would certainly be imprisoned and possibly executed, as China considers them domestic terrorists. They were personae non grata internationally, too. Two years ago, Albania accepted five, but has said it would take no more. Nearly 100 countries have rejected U.S. requests to take the remaining 17.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4997

where they'd last about 10 minutes after stepping off the plane.

Full of mangroves and gorgeous reefs -- it's a diver's paradise. The people are friendly, too. Many Japanese tourists go there to see the sights. Believe me, the Uighurs could go to many worse places in the world.

Actually, I wish someone would send ME to Palau.

Kafka, Lewis Carroll and Vonnegut together couldn't have come up with a story this absurd!

It is necessary to get them out of GTMO so that they can get out of the spotlight and establish a normal life as free people.


After about 2 years expect to see them resettled in a country with a significant Chinese population than can help them resettle. My guess is that they are likely to end up in Vancouver BC or in Australia.


These types of exchanges are not as uncommon as people may think, they are just rarely done in front of the cameras.

They brag about having suspected terrorsists foist upon them. Could you imagine a country with real leadership, such as Venezuela or Ecuador, behaving so pitifully?