U.S. official: Tough to shut Guantanamo

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060627/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/guantanamo_detainees_6

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba - The United States wants to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay but needs assurances that detainees won't pose a security risk or face torture when they're sent to other countries, a senior U.S. State Department official said Monday.

"It really shows the conundrum that we're in," said John B. Bellinger III, the State Department's legal adviser. "We want to get out of the Guantanamo business while continuing to protect ourselves and protect others."

Bellinger said the U.S. wants to return many detainees but has been blocked by countries who don't want the men or who don't recognize them as nationals. Another obstacle has been getting assurances that detainees won't face human rights abuses upon their return or pose a threat to the United States.

"Many of these countries do not want their nationals back," Bellinger said. "It's difficult to even get to square one in terms of discussion with different countries if individuals can go back there."

[Moderator]

1. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2357828