Australia warned against taking inmates

3 Jan 2009, 10:43 am   -   Source: AAP
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General Altenburg says 30 former detainees from Guantanamo Bay have already been recaptured, killed or located on the battlfield (AAP).

General Altenburg says 30 former detainees from Guantanamo Bay have already been recaptured, killed or located on the battlfield (AAP).

A US Major has warned of the risks of taking terror suspects from Guantanamo Bay, citing evidence that suggests former detainees are likely to reoffend.

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Australia has been warned of the risks of taking terror suspects from Guantanamo Bay military prison as the Rudd government admitted it's considering the move after a second request from the Bush administration.

US Major General John Altenburg, formerly an appointing authority to the US Military Commissions, the body that oversees the prosecution of terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, told The Weekend Australian that a significant number of former detainees have subsequently undertaken terrorist acts or have been recaptured on the battlefield.

Gillard labels request ‘unlikely’

The paper says his warning came as Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard revealed on Friday that Australia had rejected a request  early last year from President George W Bush and is examining a second request made last month to "assist with relocation" of a small group of the remaining 250 inmates.

Ms Gillard said it's "unlikely" the Rudd Government will agree to the latest Bush request.

"Notwithstanding that it is unlikely Australia would accept these detainees, given the fact that the Bush administration has formally approached Australia with this request, the request demands proper consideration," she said.

General Altenburg said on Friday there's a significant degree of reoffending among the detainees who have been released from the Cuban prison.

"About 30 of them have been captured or killed or are known to be back on the battlefield," he said.

"These are people who were released because they thought they weren't dangerous."

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