"We refused the offer to release the Yemenis to Saudi Arabia for
rehabilitation," Saleh recalled. "And we told them we would establish our
own center for rehabilitating them and helping them get rid of extremism and
violence."
About 100 of the 245 remaining detainees at Guantanamo were identified
as Yemenis. Officials said Sanaa and Washington — amid disagreement over
Yemen's policy toward Al Qaida — were discussing the terms of the release
of the detainees.
"We are going to find a way to relocate them at some point," U.S.
ambassador to Yemen Stephen Seche said.
President Barack Obama has pledged to close Guantanamo by 2010 and
release all of its suspected Al Qaida operatives. At the same time,
officials have acknowledged that more than 60 of those already released —
including the new chief of the Yemeni network — have returned to Al Qaida.
"Certainly we would like to bring them back to Yemen and have them
integrate themselves back into society with their families and make a future
for themselves here," Seche said.
Yemen has pledged to establish a U.S.-financed center to rehabilitate
those released from Guantanamo. Officials said the Saleh regime has briefed
Washington on its plans to help reintegrate the detainees.
"They would undergo edification programs based on moderation to shun
extremism and terrorism," the Yemeni Defense Ministry newspaper, "September
26," said.
