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17:45 GMT
WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (KUNA) -- Appearing on a round of Sunday talk shows, US
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed civilian trials, rather than
military commissions, for "vast majority" of Guantanamo detainees.
"We do believe that what are called Article Three trials, in other words in
our civilian courts, are appropriate for the vast majority of detainees,"
Clinton told Fox News' Chris Wallace.
This week, a civilian trial convicted Ahmed Ghailani, a 36-year old
Tanzanian, on one count of conspiring to damage or destroy American property
with an explosive device in the 1998 US embassy bombing attacks that killed
224. He was acquitted of more than 280 other counts and faces 20 years to life
in prison.
The cast thrust into the spotlight the difficulties of trying Guantanamo
Bay inmates in civilian courts amid concerns that evidence against them is
tainted or extracted under duress during secret CIV renditions.
Clinton asserted that civilian courts are more efficient compared to
military commissions.
"If you look at the comparison between terrorists who are now serving time
in our maximum security prisons compared to what military commissions have
been able to do, theres no comparison," She later said on NBC.
"We get convictions, we send people away in our civilian courts at a much
more regularized and predictable way than yet weve been able to figure out
how in the military commission," she added.
However, in the case of Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the self-confessed
mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Clinton deferred
to the Attorney Generals recommendations on where he should be tried.
"I think that that is a cast that is a very difficult one because of all
the security issues and the other problems. There will be a recommendation
made by the Attorney General," Clinton said.
The Obama administration is seeking to try Mohammed, and four alleged
co-conspirators, in the same New York City court that charged Ghailani, but
has faced strong bipartisan opposition from Congress. The issue hampers
President Barack Obamas plans to close the controversial Guantanamo Bay
prison in Cuba, where 170 prisoners are being held. (end)
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