Katsitadze: Georgian authorities suggest to move Guantanamo prisoners to local prisons

Kakha Katsitadze, a Georgian political scientist, does not believe that the States are seriously considering any transfer of Guantanamo inmates to Georgian prisons; he thinks that this is an initiative of local authorities.

"From the viewpoint of increased safety, this step will give absolutely nothing, but the danger of accumulating of interests of many terrorist organizations in the country will increase," Mr Katsitadze has emphasized in his conversation with the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Earlier, Georgian Vice-Premier Temuri Yakobashvili has stated that Georgia had expressed its readiness to consider the US' request to accept Guantanamo prisoners in its territory, but the final decision was not made yet.

A military expert Irakliy Sesiashvili believes that a potential decision to transfer some of the prisoners from Guantanamo Fort in Cuba to Georgia is a great danger for the country.

"It can be easily forecasted that after accommodation of prisoners in Georgian prisons the danger of terror acts will increase. For our country the partnership with the USA is so important that often the authorities make decisions without thinking about consequences. In spite of the fact that deputy minister Nalbandov denies everything, I'm sure it is close to reality. Saakashvili could make the decision without even coordinating it with members of his cabinet," Sesiashvili said to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The Georgian daily "Resonance" notes that these negotiations were held top secret; and it is supposed that the government could know nothing. Alexander Nalbandov, deputy minister of foreign affairs, said that he had learnt about it from the press.

See earlier reports: "Georgia is ready to accommodate Guantanamo inmates," "US military instructors arrive to Georgia," "Zakareishvili: Georgia has virtually no army."