Copenhagen - Leading Danish politicians reacted coolly Friday to calls that the Scandinavian country should accept three detainees released from the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay. The three, two nationals of Uzbekistan and a Lebanese national, were unable to be returned to their countries of origin over fears of ill-treatment, according to their lawyers.
Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moller said the United States should take in the three "if they mean that they are not a threat," he was quoted as telling Danish news agency Ritzau.
Similar views were expressed by Ole Haekkerup, member of the opposition Social Democrats.
"It would be too easy for the Americans if Western Europe steps in and rescues them if they have done something so wrong," Haekkerup, who is a member of the foreign affairs committee, told Ritzau.
"You can't get away so cheaply as a Western democracy if you have violated fundamental democratic principles," he added.
But Holger K Nielsen of the opposition Socialist People's Party said Denmark had an "obligation to aid people."
Amnesty International and the Danish Refugee Council have urged Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to accept the three detainees.
