The prison at Guantanamo Bay has been at the epicenter of the ongoing controversies involving the Iraq War. It became the symbol of ineptitude, corruption and abuse of power associated with the Bush administration, and in one of his first acts as President, Barack Obama’s team has said that he is determined to shut down the prison. The statement, coming from his transition team, is more than likely just a symbolic gesture meant to signify a change in political strategy more than it is a realistic expectation. It is highly unlikely that the detention center in Cuba will close in the near future. Obama himself said that it would be ‘a challenge’ to close it-even in his first 100 days as president.
But, issuing the order would definitely signify the beginning of deciding what to do with the approximately 250 Al Quada and Taliban suspects and witnesses who are detained in Guantanamo Bay-many o
f whom have never been formally charged with a crime. The order could be issued as early as January 20th. This is expected to be the first in a series of executive orders from the President’s staff in the coming weeks.
Many detainees have been cleared to be released and some could be returned to their home countries for further detainment-though many nations have been reluctant to the Bush administration’s attempts to repatriate the prisoners. Obama’s advisers have said that these nations will be more willing to accept the prisoners after becoming more familiar with the new administration. – todd williams
