Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Obama unveils plan to close Guantanamo prison

By Editor
24 February 2016   |   6:50 am
PRESIDENT Barack Obama yesterday unveiled his long-anticipated proposal to close the United States (U.S.) detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, saying it undermines national security and is contrary to American values. “For many years, it’s been clear that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay does not advance our national security,” Mr. Obama said in…
US President, Barack Obama

US President, Barack Obama

PRESIDENT Barack Obama yesterday unveiled his long-anticipated proposal to close the United States (U.S.) detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, saying it undermines national security and is contrary to American values.

“For many years, it’s been clear that the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay does not advance our national security,” Mr. Obama said in a news conference at the White House.
 
Transitioning to a U.S. detention facility would entail one-time costs between $290 million and $475 million, but within three to five years, the lower operating cost of a U.S. facility with fewer detainees could fully offset the transition costs, according to a plan released by the Pentagon.

Since first winning election in 2008, Mr. Obama has repeatedly vowed to try to close the detention facility, saying it’s a recruiting tool for extremists.

But Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill have vociferously objected, and Congress has passed legislation forbidding Mr. Obama’s administration from transferring any detainees held at the facility to the United States.

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican, reacted to the announcement by reiterating that Congress won’t allow the administration to transfer any detainees to the mainland U.S.

“After seven years, President Obama has yet to convince the American people that moving Guantanamo terrorists to our homeland is smart or safe,” Mr. Ryan said. “And he doesn’t seem interested in continuing to try.”

Mr. Ryan said the president’s proposal “fails to provide critical details required by law, including the exact cost and location of an alternate detention facility.”

0 Comments