U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement on President Obama’s Plan to Close Guantanamo

U.S. Rep Gregory W. Meeks Statement on President Obama’s Plan to Close Guantanamo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks released the following statement regarding the President’s plan for closing the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility:

"Once again, President Obama demonstrated his long-running commitment to closing the American prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba by presenting a detailed plan to Congress. For 15 years now, our country has imprisoned individuals thought to have been involved in terrorist actions against the United States. However, Guantanamo has worked counter intuitively to our nation’s values and national security interests.

"The plan President Obama put forward today would close the facility, transfer many of the remaining inmates to countries that have been vetted and agree to impose strict conditions of release that preclude resuming terrorist involvement. Other inmates would be transferred to imprisonment here in the United States for trial either by military tribunals or federal courts. As President Obama observed in his remarks this morning, federal courts have been enormously successful in prosecuting and convicting terrorists.

"From my travels as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee I can affirm that Guantanamo has been and continues to be an obstacle to fully restoring America’s international prestige. It is an issue that is repeatedly raised by foreign leaders and it remains a recruiting tool for terrorist groups. I support the President’s plan and urge my colleagues to objectively evaluate and act on the President’s proposal."

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