US President Obama Addresses Issue of Guantanamo
Obama Administration Will Create a Legacy of National Security
US President Obama addressed the issue of the closure of Guantanamo bay on May 21, 2009 in a televised address from the grand hall of the National Archives building in Washington D.C. Present were also Obama's cabinet members and advisors. He spoke a day after the Senate denied him finances for the closure of the jail. Obama was extremely critical of the Bush administration's conduct in the war against terrorism.
Obama, of late, has not received much support with regards to his decision on the closure of Guantanamo Bay amongst his peers and Dick Cheney has proven to be his most prominent critic amongst the Republicans. Obama used this opportunity to strengthen his point regarding the closure of the notorious jail and remind the US public of his responsibility towards national security. He stood directly in front of the US constitution while making his speech.
Obama Makes Three Vital Decisions
Having inherited the mess from the previous administration, Obama said he was adamant not to make decisions that would leave a different administration after his in the same mess. In his speech, he outlined three decisions taken by the Obama administration:
- The first step taken by Obama was to ban the brutal interrogation techniques used in Guantanamo Bay. According to Obama, these techniques undermined the rule of law.
- The decision to close the Guantanamo Bay came as soon as Obama took over the US government. There are over 200 inmates held in Guantanamo Bay for several years
- The third step taken by the current US government is to Review of all pending cases in Guantanamo Bay
Obama Insists on Enlisting the Power of Fundamental Values
Obama set the stage for these decisions by reminding the American public of the fundamental values of freedom and justice that Americans have upheld in the past. He said that these values were what attracted his father to migrate to the United States. It was the freedom his father sought when he moved to the US and it was the value his mother taught him as the precious gift of America. He said he continued to uphold and advocate these values as a lawyer, he cherished and respected these values as a citizen and he will uphold these as Commander in Chief of the country.
Is the War on Terror Still Going On
While upholding and sticking to the fundamental American values, Obama assured the nation that nothing would be compromised for the security and safety of the country. He admitted that "We are indeed at war with Al-Qaeda" but that the nation must not forget the values of freedom and justice while doing so. He added "but we must do so by abiding to law, by checks and balances and accountability."
The Bush Administration and the Lack of American Fundamental Values
He implied that these fundamental values were overlooked in the past for the sake of expedience. The decisions were made in an ad-hoc manner so that the problems seemed like they were being dealt with. Such decisions, Obama said, were taken as a result of fear and reflected little foresight.
As a result, Obama pointed out, that Americans began expanding the gulf between them and their enemies. What is worst is that the United States began alienating its friends too. Not only have the war on terror and its associated activities (such as the notorious jails) managed to become the rallying point of the US enemies but they have also managed to keep the supporters at bay. Such actions as taken by the Bush administration also increase the chances of American troops being tortured in captivity by others should they be captured on foreign land.
What is Obama's plan for the detainees at Guantanamo
Before outlining the 5 categories for the detainees of Guantanamo Bay jail, the US President reassured that no one who is a security threat will be released and in no way does the closure of Guantanamo Bay jail imply danger to national security. Each case will be closely reviewed unlike in the past.
Obama pointed out that 19 of the 21 released detainees so far were freed during Bush's regime and the Obama administration was acutely aware that some of those detainees ended up in the battlefield. This is why the current administration has decided that each case will be reviewed with extreme care.
The categories that the Guantanamo Bay detainees will be divided into are:
- The first set of detainees will be tried in federal courts.
- The second set of detainees are those who have violated the laws of war will be tried through military courts.
- The 21 detainees who have been ordered release by courts will be freed. 21 of them may not be worthy of it but their release was ordered before Obama took office. Obama concluded this by saying "I too am bound to laws."
- The fourth group comprises of the 50 detainees who will be transferred to their respective countries.
- Lastly were those detainees who cannot be prosecuted despite the fact that they are clear danger to Americans because of their expressions of loyalty to Al-Qaeda or Osama bin Laden, or their expressions of hatred towards the USA. However, these detainees have tainted evidence against them.
Obama's Goal Is to Construct a Legal Legitimate Framework
Obama reiterated that his administration believes in focusing on the future and not the past. His administration will make decisions with foresightedness and not fear. The Obama administration's way of conduct will be organized and not ad-hoc. Their goal will be to construct a legal legitimate framework for trying threats to US national security. Prolonged detention cannot be the decision of a single man alone. Obama said that the decisions will be made within a legal regime.
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