Red Cross begins inspection at Cuban prison base
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A Red Cross team has begun its inspection of the conditions in which about 80 al-Qa'ida and Taliban fighters are being held at the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, amid growing diplomatic tensions between the US and Britain.
The four-strong team from The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will spend up to a week at the base on Cuba, interviewing and registering the prisoners before compiling a confidential report which it will present to the US authorities.
A further 30 prisoners arrived last night at Camp X-Ray, the specially constructed prison at Guantanamo, bringing the total number to 110.
Meanwhile, fresh signs of diplomatic tension between London and Washington over the fate of the captives emerged last night as the Government said it wanted independent confirmation they were being treated properly.
Robin Cook, the Leader of the House, took a swipe at assurances from the US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, that the prisoners' treatment was "reasonably consistent" with the Geneva Convention. He said: "I am not sure you would take Mr Rumsfeld's views as independent corroboration. He is a man of robust views."
Ann Clywd, chair of the Commons human rights group, said: "We were in coalition with the Americans... We will be criticised, quite rightly, for not showing concern for prisoners we may well have captured. Britain should not be allowed to wash its hands of them."
The growing controversy over Guantanamo Bay was touched on during a 30-minute telephone call yesterday between Tony Blair and President George Bush. The Prime Minister said afterwards: "We both agreed that people should be treated humanely."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments