US presses Netherlands to take Guantanamo detainees

American President Barrack Obama has asked the Netherlands to take in prisoners from Guantanamo. He did so during his meeting with King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Minister Bert Koenders of Foreign Affairs in Washington D.C. on Monday.

"Obama wants to get rid of the Guantanamo prison camp", correspondent Erik Mouthaan told RTL Nieuws. "One by one the prisoners are released, the only question is: where should they go? What country will take them in?" According to Mouthaan, the fact that the Netherlands has not taken in any prisoners, while several other Western European countries have, is becoming a point of friction in the relationship between the US and the Netherlands. But he also points out that the US Congress is also against taking in prisoners in America.

Koenders told Obama that the Netherlands will think about the request. "He understands that we need more information on this and to look at issues such as human rights and security", Koenders said, according to RTL. According to the Minister, King Willem-Alexander did not take part in this part of the conversation.