Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
The Hill
October 22, 2008
By Roxana Tiron
The Pentagon will allow victims of terrorism and their families to watch military trials at the U.S. Navy’s base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, the controversial prison for military detainees and terrorism suspects.
"The Department of Defense recognizes the tragic loss and suffering that victims and family members of terrorist attacks have experienced," Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England said on Tuesday. "Soon, some of those … families will have the opportunity to see firsthand the fair, open and just trials of those alleged to have perpetrated these horrific acts."
The Pentagon’s announcement comes after revelations that President Bush is not planning to close Guantánamo Bay despite increasing pressure from Congress. If Democrats win majorities in the Senate and House in November, closing Guantánamo will be one of the priorities on the legislative agenda, according to several sources.
Guantánamo has become one of the most detested symbols of the U.S. war against terrorism. Bush expressed a desire to close the prison earlier this year, but then changed his mind because of too many legal and political risks, according to a report in The New York Times.
Both presidential candidates, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, are in favor of closing the prison.
Because Guantánamo has minimal visitor housing and limited transportation, the Office of Military Commissions will use random-number-generation software to select five people at a time to see military commission proceedings. Each person selected may be accompanied by one family member, according to a Pentagon statement.
In addition, the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice will establish closed-circuit television sites in the United States for victims and family members to watch future trial proceedings, according to the statement.
October 22, 2008
By Roxana Tiron
The Pentagon will allow victims of terrorism and their families to watch military trials at the U.S. Navy’s base in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, the controversial prison for military detainees and terrorism suspects.
"The Department of Defense recognizes the tragic loss and suffering that victims and family members of terrorist attacks have experienced," Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England said on Tuesday. "Soon, some of those … families will have the opportunity to see firsthand the fair, open and just trials of those alleged to have perpetrated these horrific acts."
The Pentagon’s announcement comes after revelations that President Bush is not planning to close Guantánamo Bay despite increasing pressure from Congress. If Democrats win majorities in the Senate and House in November, closing Guantánamo will be one of the priorities on the legislative agenda, according to several sources.
Guantánamo has become one of the most detested symbols of the U.S. war against terrorism. Bush expressed a desire to close the prison earlier this year, but then changed his mind because of too many legal and political risks, according to a report in The New York Times.
Both presidential candidates, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain, are in favor of closing the prison.
Because Guantánamo has minimal visitor housing and limited transportation, the Office of Military Commissions will use random-number-generation software to select five people at a time to see military commission proceedings. Each person selected may be accompanied by one family member, according to a Pentagon statement.
In addition, the Department of Defense and the Department of Justice will establish closed-circuit television sites in the United States for victims and family members to watch future trial proceedings, according to the statement.