For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 18, 2003
Statement on British Detainees
Statement by the Press Secretary
During their meeting on July 17, 2003, the President and Prime
Minister Blair discussed the issue of U.K. nationals detained at
Guantanamo Bay.
The President and the Prime Minister have asked American and
British legal experts to meet to discuss a range of options for
disposition of the British detainees. Pending these discussions, the
President has determined not to commence any military commission
proceedings against U.K. nationals. The President and the Prime
Minister are confident that their experts will be able to agree on a
solution that satisfies the mutual interests of the U.S. and the U.K.
To this end, we welcome the visit to Washington early next week of a
British delegation led by Attorney General Lord Goldsmith.
Similarly, the United States will not commence military commission
proceedings against any Australian nationals pending parallel
discussions with Australian legal experts next week.
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