Holder: Obama Administration Still Working To Close Gitmo Before 2012

[Tx4obama]

Holder: Obama Administration Still Working To Close Gitmo Before 2012

Perhaps file this one under wishful thinking: Attorney General Eric Holder told the European Parliament on Tuesday that the Obama administration is hoping to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay before the 2012 election.

The Obama administration, Holder said, wants to close the facility "as quickly as possible, recognizing that we will face substantial pressure."

"We will be pressing for the closure of the facility between now and then - and after that election, we will try to close it as well," Holder said. "Some people have made this a political issue without looking at, I think, the real benefits that would flow from the closure of the facility."

Human Rights First President and CEO Elisa Massimino praised Holder's remarks, saying in a statement that it was "good to hear the Obama Administration reiterate its commitment to closing the Guantanamo detention facility and put that commitment on a timeline."

SNIP

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/holder_obama_administration_still_working_to_close_gitmo_before_2012.php

[tblue]

1. There's nothing like an election year

to get your butt in gear. But I'll take it!

I know how supportive of our President you are, Tx4obama. I would like nothing more than to have the passion and trust in him that you have.

[Tx4obama]

2. Actually ...

Ever since the second day Obama was in office he has been trying to get GITMO closed when he signed an executive order to close it.
Then tried to purchase a prison in Illinois that could be converted into a 'max fed prison' to hold the detainees, etc.
And every step of the way CONGRESS has stopped him by passing bills that defunded the prison and the moving of the detainees - Congress even passed something that said the detainees can not be moved onto US soil.

Obama has been plugging along the whole time and just hasn't gotten a break yet ;(

[tblue]

3. Did he use an Executive Order?

That has the force of law. I am not arguing, just asking.

[Tx4obama]

4. Yes. January 22, 2009

SNIP

Executive Order to close Gitmo

Updated: Thursday, January 22nd, 2009 | By Robert Farley

On his second full day in office, President Obama issued an executive order to review the disposition of prisoners being held at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and ordered that the detention facility be closed within a year.

According to the administration, closure of the facility is the ultimate goal. The order establishes a review process with the goal of disposing of the detainees before closing the facility.

According to the White House, "The Order sets up an immediate review to determine whether it is possible to transfer detainees to third countries, consistent with national security. If transfer is not approved, a second review will determine whether prosecution is possible and in what forum. The preference is for prosecution in Article III courts or under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), but military commissions, perhaps with revised authorities, would remain an option. If there are detainees who cannot be transferred or prosecuted, the review will examine the lawful options for dealing with them. The Attorney General will coordinate the review and the Secretaries of Defense, State, and Homeland Security as well as the DNI and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will participate."

The order also requires that conditions of confinement at Guantanamo, until its closure, comply with the Geneva Conventions.

"The message that we are sending the world is that the United States intends to prosecute the ongoing struggle against violence and terrorism and we are going to do so vigilantly and we are going to do so effectively and we are going to do so in a manner that is consistent with our values and our ideals," Obama said after signing the order.

The executive order clearly comports with Obama's campaign pledge to close Gitmo, and now sets the timeline for one year. But there is still work to be done, and until the detention center actually closes, we'll keep the status at In the Works.

--------------------

Here's where the text above came from towards the bottom of the LONG list of GITMO updates:

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/obameter/promise/177/close-the-guantanamo-bay-detention-center/


p.s. Politifact.com rated the GITMO promise 'broken' because Obama didn't do it fast enough for their liking.
But I think they will have to change it before 2012 when Obama gets 'er done ;)

[tblue]

5. That's what I thought.

So how did it not happen?

[Tx4obama]

6. Obstruction from the Congress.

Read the updates on the link in my previous post.

Read from the bottom up, they are in reverse order by date.

[krawhitham]

12. Congress blocked the funding needed to close it

the Democratic controlled congress

[msanthrope]

13. Congress passed two measures to keep it open--

one was screwing with the funding to close it, and the second, not allowing GITMO prisoners to come to America.

Those measures are in every single FY Defense Authorization since 2009.

What that means is the President has no money to close it, and no where to put prisoners who should be jailed and/or have no country to go to.

Passed with resounding bi-partisanship, FYI.

[Demeter]

7. Color Me "Not Impressed"

[PhoenixAbove]

8. This is something I had hoped he would do in his first 2 years...

but perhaps I was over-optimistic. I don't care whether it's "campaign Mode" or not. If he can do this, I will be one very happy Indie voter.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

9. OMG ...... Holder speaks?

I forgot he existed.

[vroomvroom]

10. Yes, Puppets in Tragic Plays do that from time to time. (nt)

[Supersedeas]

11. Maybe he has been vacationing in Europe