Military

DATE=1/14/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=GUANTANAMO / PRISONERS (L)

NUMBER=2-285239

BYLINE=MICHAEL BOWMAN

DATELINE=MIAMI

INTERNET=YES

Content=

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INTRO: A second group of Taleban and al-Qaida prisoners has arrived at the U-S naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. V-O-A's Michael Bowman has details.

TEXT: The new arrivals bring to 50 the total number of detainees transported from Kandahar, Afghanistan to the remote, arid military facility at Guantanamo Bay.

U-S military officials say the transport operation closely mirrored an earlier one last week, when 20 prisoners, described as the most dangerous from Afghanistan in U-S custody, were taken to Cuba. The prisoners were masked and shackled, wearing bright-orange jump suits for the trip aboard an Air Force transport plane.

The exact fate of the detainees remains unclear. It is expected they will face some form of military justice, but the Bush Administration has yet to reveal any details of such a plan.

The names of the prisoners transported to Cuba have not been released. But U-S officials say American Taleban John Walker remains on a Navy ship.

All detainees are being held at a temporary, open-air facility, known as Camp X-Ray. A permanent prison capable of holding up to two-thousand prisoners is expected to be completed in coming months. (SIGNED)

NEB/MCB/RAE