The United States transferred a Swedish national from U.S. control at Guantanamo Bay to the control of Swedish authorities on July 8, the State Department announced later the same day.

Calling the transfer "part of a joint effort to fight terror," State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher expressed U.S. appreciation for "the cooperation we have had with Sweden on this matter," adding the United States "looks forward to continued close partnership in the war on terror."

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
July 8, 2004

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

TRANSFER OF SWEDISH NATIONAL FROM GUANTANAMO

The United States transferred a Swedish national from U.S. control at Guantanamo Bay to the control of Swedish authorities on July 8. This decision is the result of discussions with the Government of Sweden over many months, including visits to Stockholm by Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues Pierre-Richard Prosper, and visits to Guantanamo by the Swedish authorities.

This transfer is part of a joint effort to fight terror. It is based on an assessment by our two governments of any potential threat the Swedish national may pose to the United States and Sweden, the law enforcement or intelligence value the detainee may possess, and steps Swedish authorities will take to minimize any potential threat associated with this transfer.

The United States appreciates the cooperation we have had with Sweden on this matter and looks forward to continued close partnership in the war on terror.