Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Wednesday announced that Australia and the United States have reached an understanding concerning the possible transfer of prisoners sentenced by a United States Military Commission.

The arrangement was signed in Washington on Tuesday, Downer said.

"Transfers would need the approval of the Australian and United States Governments and the transferee and would only be possible after the judgment of the Military Commission is final," Downer said in a statement.

"The enforcement of the sentence will be governed by Australian law but must maintain the legal nature and duration of the original sentence," he said.

"The Arrangement is consistent with the requirements of the International Transfer of Prisoners Act 1997 and complements existing arrangements with the United States," he said.

The agreement could apply to Australian David Hicks, who is being held in Guantanamo Bay on charges of conspiracy to commit war crimes, attempted murder and aiding the enemy.

"Should Mr David Hicks, who is currently facing charges before the Military Commission, be convicted, the arrangement would provide a means for Mr Hicks to apply to be transferred to serve any penal sentence in Australia in accordance with Australian and U.S. law," said Downer.

Hicks has spent four years in the prison since he was captured in Afghanistan in late 2001.

Source:Xinhua