Obama defends drone strikes but says they are no cure-all

[marmar]

By Julie Pace and Lara Jakes
Associated Press


WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday defended America's controversial drone attacks as legal, effective and a necessary linchpin in an evolving U.S. counterterrorism policy. But he acknowledged the targeted strikes are no "cure-all" and said he is haunted by the civilians unintentionally killed.

The president also announced a renewed push to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center in Cuba, including lifting a moratorium on prisoner transfers to Yemen. However, shutting the prison will still require help from Republicans reluctant to back Obama's call to move some detainees to U.S. prisons and try them in civilian courts.

Obama framed his address as an attempt to redefine the nature and scope of terror threats facing the U.S., noting the weakening of al-Qaida and the impending end of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. .................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.freep.com/article/20130523/NEWS07/305230066/Barack-Obama-Guantanamo-Bay-drones-speech-national-security