27/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - French Minister for Immigration and Integration Eric Besson announced on Thursday 26 February on the occasion of the Justice and Home Affairs Council that France was willing to “do its bit” by taking in former Guantanamo inmates, as long as a “number of criteria” are met. He went on to say: “They must be people who are not potentially damaging to public security, they must come to our country voluntarily as no-one must be forced to come to our territory, and they must have a link with our country, to justify being in France”. He made it clear that such persons should have “lived in France, speak the language or have family in France”. Before taking a stand, European ministers wish to receive all relevant information from the United States (EUROPE 9849). (B.C./transl.jl)