Pentagon to hold first hearing for Guantanamo detainees

[UpInArms]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-07/17/content_1608009.htm

WASHINGTON, July 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The US military will hold the first open tribunal hearing for detainees held at the US naval base prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, next week or early the following week, a senior Pentag on official said Friday.

Gordon England, secretary of the US Navy, told reporters that the Pentagon's plan is to have the appointed personal representatives of the detainees to meet them next week, and late next week or early the following week, the first tribunal hearing will begin.

The military have notified every detainee at Guantanamo of their opportunity to contest their status as an "enemy combatant,"and that they can seek review of their detention in the US courts,he said.

Most of the detainees - about 90 or 95 percent - responded positively, and about 5 percent responded negatively by crumbling up the notice and throwing it on the floor, he said.

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