US hindering drive against terror

Parliament Vice Chairman Ismail Amat, the highest-ranking member of the Muslim Uighur minority in the Chinese Communist Party, said his nation suspects the five men, who were captured during the US assault on Afghanistan in 2001-2002, are members of a terror group.

"I think America is implementing a double standard in fighting terrorism. This is unacceptable to us," said Amat, who is also a member of the party's Central Committee, the heart of Chinese power.

The US military flew the men to Albania last week after Washington concluded they posed no terrorist threat to the United States but might face persecution if they returned to China.