Cash or the chance to be owed a big favour by the United States are just two possible reasons why Bermuda could have accepted four Uighurs released from Guantánamo Bay.

But according to former Secretary of Defence advisor Charles Stimson, the Island's decision must be regarded an act of good grace.

Mr. Stimson a former chair of the Pentagon's Joint Detainee Coordinating Committee, told The Royal Gazette: "A cynical person might say a country did that because they wanted to be on good terms with the United States and expected something in return.

"That could be something financial, or forgiveness of certain past debts, or certain favourable terms in future negotiations.

"I think it would be unwise to look at it that way. I think you have to look at it as an act of grace, an understanding in that this terrorist war against us, we in the civilised world all share a common goal to protect civilisation. And we all have to help each other out.

"In my former role in charge of detainee affairs, I had personal discussions with other countries on matters like this. You can only look at it as an act of good faith that I wish more countries would follow.

"It's ironic that a country as small as most counties over here is willing to take them on."

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown has come under fire at home and abroad for bringing Abdulla Abdulqadir, Salahidin Abdulahad, Ablikim Turaham and Khalil Mamut to the Island without first consulting with the Governor, the UK or any of his Cabinet colleagues except Public Safety Minister David Burch.

Dr. Brown has described the move as a humanitarian gesture, although he later conceded he might not have done it if he'd known it would receive such criticism. The Premier has also stated there was no 'quid pro quo' agreement with the States, while Bermuda is not said to receive anything like the huge sum of cash aid Palau reportedly won for accepting Guantánamo refugees.

Mr. Stimson said: "I don't know the terms of this deal. They will come out sooner or later if there's some aggressive reporting and transparency on the Government's part.

"There may be some aspect of the deal that are deemed to be money or negotiations, but it's possible that Bermuda will receive no money at all."

Mr. Stimson, now a scholar with the 'think tank' Heritage Foundation, formerly served as the Deputy Assistant Defence Secretary for Detainee Affairs, where he advised the Secretary of Defence on detainee issues worldwide, including at Guantánamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan.

In that capacity, he coordinated the department's detention policy and operations with his senior counterparts at the National Security Council, the Justice and State departments, the military services and the intelligence community.

Sen. Burch has claimed the Island's new improved relationship with the United States has put the Baselands clean-up back up for discussion.