Germany, Canada, Australia and the American public said no; Palau and Bermuda said yes.

It's not known exactly how many countries the United States has approached asking to take Guantánamo Bay detainees, but it is thought it began with a request to Australia late last year.

That offer was turned down on "national security and immigration" grounds. The US followed up with a request to Germany in April, when it presented the German government with a list of Guantánamo Bay detainees for Berlin to consider.

German officials replied that the refugees pose a major security risk and should be resettled in the US.

"The information we have is that the Uighurs we are being asked to accept were in terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and then they were sent to Guantánamo Bay.

"We need much more information from the US about these detainees before we are prepared to make any decision," said minister Uwe Schunemann.

Reports yesterday said the US had issued a second request to Germany to take prisoners from Guantánamo, and was met with a demand for more details.

Germany's reluctance is said to reflect a general lack of enthusiasm across Europe to accept the detainees.

America's neighbours Canada has been no more forthcoming.

Last week, the Canadian press reported the Obama administration's plea to take in 17 prisoners had been rebuffed.

Kory Teneycke, spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said: "There are security concerns related to Guantánamo detainees. There really is no rationale for accepting them into the country."

The Obama administration had initially intended to resettle some of the Uighurs in the US, but changed its mind following sharp opposition from congress and the American public.

"The administration has made the decision to begin transferring these terrorists to the United States, in spite of the overwhelming opposition of the American people and serious questions from members of Congress of both parties," said House Minority Leader John Boehner, regarding plans to bring a detainee to the States for trial.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said the President was ignoring the "clear desire of Congress and the American people that these terrorists not be brought to the United States".

In 2006, five Uighurs were transferred to Albania, and there have been no reports of post-resettlement engagement in criminal behaviour or terrorist activities.

Palau, a Pacific island paradise, has accepted 13 as a "humanitarian gesture" and to help President Barack Obama fulfil his promise to close the controversial facility.

Palau President Johnson Toribiong said: "It's an old-age tradition of Palauans to accommodate the homeless who find their way to the shores of Palau. We did agree to accept them due to the fact that they have become basically homeless and need to find a place of refuge and freedom."

Palau, 500 miles east of the Philippines, has eight main islands and more than 250 islets and is best known for diving and tourism.

It has retained close ties with the United States since independence in 1994 and is entitled to US protection under an accord.

Two US officials said earlier this week that the country was prepared to give Palau up to $200 million over ten years in development, budget support and other assistance in return for accepting the refugees and as part of a mutual defence and cooperation treaty that is due to be renegotiated this year.

Mr. Toribiong said: "We'll accept them and the details of the arrangements will be worked out, and they will be here until we can find out where they should be permanently located."