Gates And Rice Pushed For Gitmo Closing
Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice urged that Guantanamo Bay prison be closed shortly after Gates’ appointment in December. Gates argued that terror suspects should be tried on US soil in order to lend credibility to the proceedings.
Vice President Dick Cheney and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales opposed closing the infamous prison, on the grounds that those suspected of terrorism should not have the same rights afforded traditional prisoners, but should instead be regarded as prisoners of war subject to military justice.
The argument was ended when President Bush sided with Cheney and Gonzales.
Due to the recent controversy over Gonzales’ possible dismissal, some officials believe that the issue could be reopened if such a circumstance were to occur.
The US has so far brought charges against only one of 385 foreign captives at Guantanamo.
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