Detainees returning to battlefield

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A report on former detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should prompt the Obama administration to change its mind about closing the facility, a lawmaker says.

Sen. Christopher Bond, R-Mo., told The Washington Post the recidivism report issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence calls for a reordering of priorities.

"Unfortunately, these latest numbers make clear that fulfilling a campaign promise to close Guantanamo Bay is overriding what should be the administration's first priority: protecting Americans from terrorists," Bond said.

The report released Tuesday said two former detainees repatriated or resettled by the Obama administration have returned to the battlefield and three others are suspected of doing so.

They are among 66 detainees transferred out since January 2009.

Of the 532 detainees released by the Bush administration, 79 are confirmed as having returned to the fight and 66 others are suspected of re-engaging, the report said.

"It is unacceptable to continue transferring these dangerous detainees," Bond said.