Nations reluctant to take Gitmo detainees

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Some nations are expressing wariness about U.S. requests for them to accept detainees from the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, military prison, diplomatic leaders said.

Australia has "declined to allow resettlement" of a small group of Guantanamo prisoners after being asked to do so by U.S. officials, Julia Gillard, Australian acting prime minister, said Friday in a statement.

British officials also indicated a reluctance to accept former Guantanamo prisoners, saying they haven't been asked to do so, The New York Times reported.

"We have made it clear that we think Guantanamo Bay should be closed," a Foreign Office spokeswoman said. "We recognize that the United States will require assistance from its allies and partners for this to happen."

Britain has secured the release of 13 detainees and expects to seek the release of two more, the spokeswoman said, adding "we have not been asked" to accept additional detainees.

President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to shut down the camp at the U.S. military base.