'No Option Ruled Out' for Guantanamo Detainees

[Whoa_Nelly]

A senior US negotiator involved in discussions over the fate of British detainees at Guantanamo Bay today said that no option had been ruled out, including their repatriation for trial in the UK.

Speculation is growing that an announcement may be made on the detainees during President George Bush’s state visit to Britain, which enters its first full day today.

<snip>
US negotiator Major John Smith, who has been involved in discussions over the men with Attorney General Lord Goldsmith, said that the American chief prosecutor was working as quickly as possible to decide whether charges would be brought against the men.

<snip>
Asked why the detainees had been denied access to legal representation during their two years of incarceration, Maj Smith said: “This is the law of war. It is not civilian peacetime criminal law enforcement procedures.
“Under the law of war, when you capture someone who is fighting against you, you are able to interrogate them. There is not a requirement that there is a lawyer.
“The reason is that their detention is not criminal. No-one at Guantanamo is detained for criminal reasons right now. They are detained to prevent them from continuing to fight against the US.

more...
http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2194299

[E_Zapata]

1. yeah, and I recall that when the WAR is over.........

You return the other sides' prisoners.

We have been all finished up in Afghanistan for almost two years....I know that.....because, well, the newspapers tell me so!

[bif]

2. Yeah, screw the Geneva Convention

It's the never ending war. So we can do whatever the hell we want.

[GainesT1958]

3. Then why aren't the REST of the Geneva Convention rules for POWs...

Being applied to Guantanamo detainees? If they are, indeed, prisoners of war, then let's CALL them POWs! :mad:

We're really setting ourselves up to have any future hostages or POWs treated pretty badly if we keep this up...those folks are known for their desire to exact revenge, after all...

And still no answer about U.S. citizens being held here without access to attorneys, or contact with family. I'm convinced the "Enemy Combattant" designation is unconstitutional, and is waiting for the right legal challenge to be struck down. But then, it wouldn't be any different form any other of Ashcroft's "reckless disregard" moves! :grr:

B-)