Pentagon drafts plan for Guantanamo jail closing

Pentagon officials admitted that plans are being drawn up for the closing of the Guantanamo Bay prison.

According to Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gate has ordered aides to create a plan to close the controversial facility. Morell noted that the preparations were being made in anticipation of president-elect Barack Obama’s possible changes for the prison:

US President-elect Barack Obama says closing the camp "in a responsible way" is one of his top priorities.

Mr. Obama, who takes office on 20 January, said earlier this week he aimed to close the facility within two years.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Mr. Gates - who is to retain his position in the new administration - had wanted to be prepared in case Mr. Obama wished to tackle the issue "early in his tenure".

"He has asked his team for a proposal on how to shut it down, what will be required specifically to close it and move the detainees from that facility, and at the same time protect the American people from dangerous terrorists," he said.

The possible closing of the Guantanamo prison and what legal changes may have to be done is one of Obama’s main challenges upon entering office on January 20th.

According to the Washington Post, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for detainee affairs Charles D. Stimson drew up classified plans in 2006 for how to close the jail.

Image- Al Jazeera English
Sources- The Latin Americanist, Washington Post, Reuters, The Telegraph, BBC News