The Hindu : International : Bush hints at closure of Guantanamo

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 10, 2005

International

International

Bush hints at closure of Guantanamo

Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON: In the backdrop of mounting criticism of the Guantanamo Bay detention centre, U.S. President George W Bush has hinted that the facility could close. "We're exploring all alternatives as to how best to do the main objective which is to protect America," he said in an interview. "What we don't want to do is to let somebody out that comes back and harms us."

Guantanamo Bay is seen as a symbol of excesses committed on nearly 540 detenus with the Amnesty International terming it as the "gulag of our time." A Pentagon investigation did reveal abuses .

Mr. Bush's "hint" has surprised many including Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld who has brushed it aside. Officials have been quoted as saying no firm proposals are on the table and that no inter-agency meetings scheduled to discuss the proposal.

Mr. Bush's remarks were not off hand for his press secretary also used similar language during a briefing. "We're always looking at all our alternatives when it comes to dealing with these detainees," said Scott McClellan.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Israeli court backs Gaza pullout plan

Development is bedrock of security, says China

Nuclear bomb blueprints vanish

U.K. anti-terror laws under fire

Bush hints at closure of Guantanamo

Poor response to Zimbabwe Opposition's strike call

Malaria may doom plans for Africa

Russia rejects demand on Uzbek riots

China calls G-4 move `hasty'

India committed to Sri Lanka's sovereignty and territorial integrity

A gaggle of new entries