Obama Fails to Close Guantanamo

Barack Obama has admitted that the US will miss its original target of January 2010 for the closure of Guantanamo Bay.

The admission was made during his Asian tour. However he claimed that he was; “not disappointed” that the deadline would be missed because he “knew this was going to be hard.” A decision has still not been made by officials of what to do with the 215 detainees that still remain in the Cuban prison.

The announcement comes after much speculation that the deadline would be missed as the administration is struggling with how to deal with inmates who cannot be freed or tried in US courts.

There has not yet been an announcement about the estimated closing time of the camp but it is believed to be later in 2010. Obama told Fox News; “It’s hard not only because of the politics. People, I think understandably, are fearful after a lot of years where they were told Guantanamo was critical to keep terrorists out.” He also added that the closure of the prison was “technically hard” and depended on the co-operation of Congress.

The decision to close Guantanamo was one of the first Obama made in office. His administration is currently try some detainees in US courts, and resettle others who are no longer believed to be a threat to national security.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks, and four other defendants are reportedly soon to be transferred from Guantanamo to face trial in New York. Which has sparked controversy among citizens with many believing that it put will Americans at risk.

Conversely, many American’s see this as a positive step towards an end to the controversial and highly criticized prison.

Connecticut medical student Bryn Costello, who lost an uncle in the 9/11 attacks is appalled by the atrocities that have been reported from Guantanamo: “First let me set straight that I am in no way supportive of Guantanamo, so please take it with a grain of salt when you hear the implication that 9/11 victims’ families have an ‘eye for an eye’ attitude towards terrorism. I believe in standing against terrorism, not lowering ourselves to their standards of cruelty and pain. There are other punishments for them, other high roads we can take. Every day Guantanamo remains open is another day that I am ashamed to be an American. There is no honour in it.”