Posted on 12/26/2010 10:05:27 AM PST by Sub-Driver
Gibbs: indefinite detention of terrorists regrettable
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said Sunday that it was unfortunate that some terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay need to be held indefinitely without trial.
"Some would be tried in federal courts, as we've seen done in the past. Some would be tried in military commissions, likely spending the rest of their lives in a maximum security prison that nobody, including terrorists, have ever escaped from. Some, regrettably, will have to be indefinitely detained," Gibbs said on CNN's "State of the Union" as he described Obama's beleaguered plan for closing Guantanamo.
The press secretary quickly sought to clarify his comments by adding, "I say 'regrettably' not because it's a bad thing for--necessarily for them in terms of the fact that they're very dangerous people and we have to make sure that even if we can't prosecute them, we're not putting them back out on the battlefield."
With Obama now almost a year overdue on his promise to close Guantanamo, Gibbs offered no prediction that the president's plan would come to fruition anytime soon. "It's certainly not going to close in the next month," Gibbs said. "I think it's going to be a while."
Gibbs's comments came following an exchange in which CNN's Candy Crowley suggested that the president had the authority to close Guantanamo but had not. Gibbs replied by noting that legislation passed by Congress bars bringing Guantanamo prisoners to the U.S. "There are prohibitions, legislatively, on the transfer," he noted.
Gibbs did not note that all the restrictions were signed into law by Obama, albeit as part of broader legislation. Another measure further limiting Obama's power to move prisoners out of Guantanamo was passed by Congress last week and is awaiting his signature or veto.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Yeah, it sure breaks my heart. Especially that the subject gets national and international attention.
Regrettable, but Obama’s handlers informed him that as far as voters were concerned it was either his ass or theirs, so... poor, poor liberals. Obama feels very sooorry for them. And for the terrorists too.
Best not. That might incur the wrath of Al Sharpton.
In the old days....prisoners of war were held until the end of the war. If the "War on Terror" never ends, what is to become of these detainees? More importantly, "terrorists" can be held indefinitely without trial....."terrorists" is one hell of a broad spectrum these days.
ha Sharpton is a big old racist dork, he can save them himself by jumping in. Those GITMO scum deserve nothing but death and anyone feeling all soppy for them win a date with Helen Thomas and forced to ....go...all...the...WAY!
As the Right told them and they kept denying. But then, you knew that. :)
I thought Gibbs was the public mouthpiece for BO. I don’t recall folks in his position actually stating their own opinion before.
Regrettable...yes, if only because they haven’t been shot.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.