‘Shut Gitmo’ plan
Bam eyes 13 U.S. sites
PRESIDENT OBAMA unveiled a plan Tuesday to finally follow through on his pledge to close Guantanamo Bay — and was immediately stonewalled by Republican opposition.
The proposal, which called for moving detainees to U.S. soil without specifying exactly where, requires congressional approval. It represented Obama’s last-ditch effort to follow through on an unfulfilled campaign promise.
“For many years it has been clear the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay does not advance our national security — it undermines it,” Obama said.
“It’s counterproductive to our fight against terrorists because they use it in propaganda.”
The President said the facility is a stain on the nation’s reputation and a waste of taxpayer money.
Last year, the U.S. spent $450 million to keep Guantanamo operating. There are 91 detainees currently held there. At its peak in 2003, the facility held nearly 680 detainees.
Obama noted that the military commissions at Guantanamo Bay have yet to reach a verdict against the five men charged with plotting the 9/11 attacks.
U.S. officials said the plan considers — but does not name — 13 different locations throughout the nation, including seven existing prison facilities in Colorado, South Carolina and Kansas, as well as six other locations on military bases.
“We will review President Obama’s plan, but since it includes bringing dangerous terrorists to facilities in U.S. communities, he knows that the bipartisan will of Congress has already been expressed against that proposal,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Obama acknowledged he would face opposition from Congress but tried to remain optimistic.
“I don’t want to pass this problem onto the next President, whoever it is,” Obama said. “If we don’t do what’s required now, I think future generations are going to look back and ask why we failed to act.”