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WASHINGTON, March 7 (KUNA) -- The White House announced Monday that it was
resuming military commission trials at Guantanamo Bay detention camp, ending a
ban imposed by US President Obama when he took office two years ago.
Obama said in a statement that "from the beginning of my Administration,
the United States has worked to bring terrorists to justice consistent with
our commitment to protect the American people and uphold our values".
"Today, I am announcing several steps that broaden our ability to bring
terrorists to justice, provide oversight for our actions, and ensure the
humane treatment of detainees," he added.
He voiced his strong belief "that the American system of justice is a key
part of our arsenal in the war against Al Qaeda and its affiliates, and we
will continue to draw on all aspects of our justice system - including Article
III Courts - to ensure that our security and our values are strengthened".
"Going forward, all branches of government have a responsibility to come
together to forge a strong and durable approach to defend our nation and the
values that define who we are as a nation," he stressed.
The Executive Order issued by Obama stated that "this order is intended
solely to establish, as a discretionary matter, a process to review on a
periodic basis the executive branch's continued, discretionary exercise of
existing detention authority in individual cases".
It added that "in the event detainees covered by this order are transferred
from Guantanamo to another US detention facility where they remain in law of
war detention, this order shall continue to apply to them".
"The Secretary of Defense shall coordinate a process of periodic review of
continued law of war detention for each detainee" described in this order.
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