A report ordered by US President Barack Obama six months ago as part of an effort to close the US detention center at Guantanamo Bay by the beginning of 2010 will be delayed six months, US officials said.
In May, congress demanded a detailed on Guantanamo’s closing before it would give Obama support on the matter.
Obama’s support for closing Guantanamo has drawn strong criticism from Congress, including from his Democratic party over the transfer of Guantanamo prisoners to American soil.
Analysts have concluded that the delay signals doubt on Obama’s ability to meet the 2010 deadline.
The task force on Guantanamo’s closing did release an interim report, however.
“Where appropriate, prosecution of those responsible must occur as soon as possible, whether in federal court or before a military commission,” the report said.
The report also said there would be no justice unless suspects were proven guilty “in a court of law that affords them a full and fair opportunity to contest the charges against them.”
“These are hard, complicated, consequential decisions,” a White House official said. “What we are trying to do is to make sure that we make the right decisions.”
Ariel Goldring
