Kiribati refuses to take detainees

The WikiLeaks US Embassy cables have revealed that the small Pacific nation of Kiribati spurned a United States offer of US$3 million ($4 million) to take 17 Chinese Muslim Guantanamo Bay detainees.

The New York Times - one of five international newspapers given access to the cables - reported the offer of the "incentive package" to Kiribati by the Bush Administration among other attempts by the United States to persuade other countries to take in the detainees.

The reason for Kiribati's refusal was not reported - although it is already overcrowded and at risk from rising sea levels. It is likely the United States sought help from Kiribati because it has no official ties with China - the cables show other countries were reluctant to take Uighur detainees because of pressure from China and the potential it would damage relations.

China severed diplomatic links in 2003 over Kiribati recognition for Taiwan. Kiribati President Anote Tong was not available for comment yesterday.

In 2009, another Pacific country - Palau - agreed to take six of the Muslim Uighurs under a deal with the Obama Administration. The cables show that former detainee Moazzam Begg cited Palau during a trip around Europe in January this year to try to build up support for taking detainees in. A report from the Luxembourg Embassy says Mr Begg was asked at a public session how the ex-detainees would fit in. The cable noted, "the fear and scepticism was palpable in the audience".

"Begg even argued that if detainees could fit in in Palau, they could do the same in Luxembourg."

The New York Times described the efforts by the US as "a global bazaar of sorts", saying unorthodox incentives offered by the US included International Monetary Fund assistance for the Maldives and a promise of a meeting with President Obama to Slovenia, although the meeting and prisoner delivery did not eventuate.

The cables reveal that the US flattered Belgium in an attempt to get it to take detainees, indicating taking a lead role would help make the country more influential in Europe.

Germany was willing to take some Uighur detainees, but wanted other European states to share China's wrath by following suit. One cable reported Germany Interior Ministry State Secretary Beus "made clear that the prospect of being the only European country to irritate China by accepting Uighurs would make it difficult".

There was also concern about Kuwait's ability to control their returned detainees - described as "nasty, unrepentant individuals".