USA.Obama a new initiative on the closure of Guantanamo – Gazeta Wyborcza

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President Barack Obama on Tuesday presented to Congress a plan to close owianego notorious prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where they are detained individuals suspected of terrorism. Republicans in Congress so far blocked any attempt to transfer them to the United States.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                          
 

                 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

         

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"I do not want to leave this problem to my successor, whoever he may be. (...) I am absolutely determined to close this prison" - he said in a special address at the White House, Obama, who in January 2017 he concluded his term.

Prepared by the Pentagon plan envisages the transfer to prisons in the US federal prisoners over 50 are considered the most dangerous of the 91 still detained in Guantanamo. The others, who, according to the American authorities do not pose a threat to the US, they would be sent back to third countries.

Obama argued that this will "ending propaganda" used by terrorists who use the existence of Guantanamo as "a tool for recruitment," and will "save American taxpayers money." The Pentagon has estimated that implementation of the plan will allow to save $ 85 million annually.

The president also criticized the inefficiency of operating in the Guantanamo military commissions created to judge persons detained there. "With all due respect to those committees - they are very expensive (...) and so far they have failed to bring a solution," - he said. Of the 779 people in total have remained in prison in Guantanamo, committees sentenced only a few, including the driver of Osama bin Laden.

Obama argued that "a much better option" is to judge people suspected of terrorism by the federal courts and placing prisoners in federal prisons. "All who were convicted in federal courts, sit behind bars here in the United States," - he said. He added that this proves that "we are able to catch terrorists and protect the safety of Americans," and at the same time adhere to American values.

Experts suggest, however, that it will be very difficult to judge many of the prisoners still housed at Guantanamo, who even in the opinion of the current US government are too dangerous, that they can be sent back to third countries, and should continue to be deprived of liberty. Because the government lacks evidence of their guilt or such evidence was obtained illegally, eg. During interrogations using methods widely considered to be torture.

Sent to Congress a plan to close Guantanamo not indicate which specific prisons in the United States would be repatriated prisoners. Obama explained that he wants to decided on this together with the congressmen.

"Let us learn a lesson from the past and shut the this chapter of our history - Obama appealed. - This plan deserves a fair hearing in Congress, even though we are in an election year."

Obama has already promised during the election campaign in 2008 that shut criticized by human rights groups and European countries prison in Guantanamo, opened by the administration of George W. Bush in 2002 in response to the September 11 attacks 2,001 years. So far, Obama has failed to deliver on this election promise; the administration has repeatedly stressed that it was the Congress which was blocking the transfer of prisoners to the United States.

Human rights activists point out, however, Obama, that the first two years of his presidency, Democrats had a majority in both houses of Congress and the president could then lead to the closure of the prison.

Referring to these allegations, Obama explained on Tuesday that "he wanted to do it right, and that takes time." It also pointed out that initially the closure of Guantanamo, there was cross-party agreement - was behind including his predecessor Bush, and Republican Senator John McCain. However, since then the issue has become "very upartyjniona" and Republicans, they began to adopt the Act to prevent the closure of the prison - he added.

Judging by the statements of politicians of the Republican Party, there is little chance of changing the position of the Congress on this issue. Against are also candidates seeking the GOP nomination in the presidential election. Therefore, it is expected that when the new Congress rejects a plan to close the prison, Obama will announce that there is no other way and take on this presidential decree, that the decision taken without Congress. They suggested a few months ago, representatives of the White House.

The first prisoners began to bring to the US military base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba in 2002. As claimed by the then US authorities have been locked up there the most dangerous terrorists in the world - Islamic extremists, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda activists. However, among the 779 people in total kept in the prison, most released yet for the Bush presidency without bringing them to formal charges.

From Washington Inga Czerny

         

         

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