The Obama administration is to transfer dozens of prisoners from Guantánamo Bay to a largely empty maximum security prison in Illinois over the objections of Republicans who say the move could prompt new terrorist attacks on the US.The White House has ordered the purchase of the Thomson Correctional Centre, a state prison about 150 miles north-west of Chicago along the Mississippi river, to house the detainees as Obama seeks to fulfil a pledge to close the jail in Guantánamo, popularly known as Gitmo. Of the 220 prisoners still held at Guantánamo, about 90 have been cleared for transfer to their own or third countries. Five are to be moved to New York for trial over the attacks on the World Trade Centre. Most of the remainder are likely to be sent to Illinois either for trial or to be held indefinitely as combatants in a continuing war, although that is likely to be open to legal challenge.
The Obama administration is to transfer dozens of prisoners from Guantánamo Bay to a largely empty maximum security prison in Illinois over the objections of Republicans who say the move could prompt new terrorist attacks on the US.
The White House has ordered the purchase of the Thomson Correctional Centre, a state prison about 150 miles north-west of Chicago along the Mississippi river, to house the detainees as Obama seeks to fulfil a pledge to close the jail in Guantánamo, popularly known as Gitmo.
Of the 220 prisoners still held at Guantánamo, about 90 have been cleared for transfer to their own or third countries. Five are to be moved to New York for trial over the attacks on the World Trade Centre. Most of the remainder are likely to be sent to Illinois either for trial or to be held indefinitely as combatants in a continuing war, although that is likely to be open to legal challenge.
But first the laws passed by Congress barring the transfer will have to be repealed.
O RLY?
Democrats have said they will overturn the legislation if the administration can show it has a sufficiently secure plan for holding the detainees.
Possibly related news:
14 May 2009, house ROLL CALL (368 : 60) S.AMDT.1131 (unanimous), 1133 (90:6), 1137 (VV passage) proposed by Inouye. S.AMDT.1136 (92:3) proposed by McConnell. S.AMDT.1139 (tabled) proposed by Cornyn S.AMDT.1140 (94:0) proposed by Brownback
6/16/2009: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 226 - 202 (Roll no. 348). 6/18/2009: Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 91 - 5. Record Vote Number: 210.
Public Law No: 111-32
25 May 2009, senate Roll Call (83: 3: 10) to limit the release of detainees 1133, 1136, 1140 INOUYE "YOO defense. S.Am 1139 ->Public Law 09-366 deluxe waiver applications 14 Dec 2009, The Hill
The letter, signed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Attorney General Eric Holder, among others, noted that Quinn suggested using the facility in a letter last month.
fuck the Guardian Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
