Two months ago they were languishing in the world's most notorious detention camp — but now Bermuda's Uighurs are tending the lush green fairways of a golf course with spectacular ocean views.

The former Guantánamo Bay terror suspects have been given permission to work at Port Royal as it prepares to host the PGA Grand Slam of Golf in October.

The men — cleared twice by the US of being enemy combatants — began their duties at the Southampton facility last week, according to Wendall Brown, chairman of the board of trustees for the Island's public golf courses.

Mr. Brown told The Royal Gazette: "They have been offered a temporary position at Port Royal until the Grand Slam. They are doing projects to clean up areas. We wanted to try to make the course as pretty as possible so there are projects they can do. All four of them have been given a job there. It's on a temporary basis."

Steve Johnson, who is in charge of grass growing, landscaping and land cultivation at the course, said Khalil Mamut, Abilikim Turahun, Abdullah Abdulqadir and Salahidin Abdulahat were doing "very well" in their ground staff roles.

"They have only just started but they are doing what everyone else does — starting at the bottom and fitting in," he said.

The Uighurs, originally from western China, were brought to Bermuda after seven years in Guantánamo by Premier Ewart Brown on June 11.

Dr. Brown negotiated directly with the US on the deal without informing the UK, explaining afterwards that he and Immigration Minister David Burch considered it an immigration matter.

Britain disagreed, with Governor Sir Richard Gozney and London's Foreign and Commonwealth Office insisting that it involved external affairs, which fall outside Government's remit. The UK and US are in talks to decide the men's future.

The Uighurs' lawyer Richard Horseman said recently his clients were keen to start work as soon as possible and "become productive citizens".

But Attorney General Kim Wilson told this newspaper last month that the men did not yet appear to have the right to get jobs, though she said they could live indefinitely here with the Immigration Minister's permission.

Senator Wilson said at first glance it was unclear how they could be granted work permits under the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956.

"It would seem they are precluded from working," said the Justice Minister, adding that she would need to study the legislation in more depth to determine if it did give the Minister discretion to allow them to work.

Mr. Brown said yesterday: "I know that the administration at Port Royal worked with the Immigration Department to sort it out. I know there wasn't a formal application."

He said the trustees agreed that the Uighurs could replace five Filipinos who were doing the same jobs, after the workers decided to return to the Philippines.

"We actually needed somebody anyway," said Mr. Brown. "The Filipinos had committed to stay to October. Then in July they all gave their notice so it was almost opportune."

Labour and Immigration permanent secretary Derrick Binns said: "I can confirm that the Department of Immigration has granted the four men permission to work in Bermuda under provisions of Part V of the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956."

He did not answer questions about whether the jobs were advertised and, if so, whether any locals applied.

The Island's strict immigration rules usually require employers to ensure that no qualified Bermudian is available to fill a post before a non-Bermudian can be considered.

"This Ministry is not able to speak on behalf of the trustees of the golf courses with regard to the application process or the conditions of employment," said Dr. Binns.

Sir Richard said yesterday that the talks between the British and US governments about the Uighurs continued. He added that a security assessment of the men was likely to be finalised "soon" by Bermuda Police Service.

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