Lawrence and Douglas county
Brownback calls for Guantanamo study
A detainee is escorted to interrogation by U.S. military guards at Camp X-Ray at Guantanamo Bay U.S. Naval Base, Cuba, in this March 1, 2002, file photo. Guantanamo received its first prisoners from Afghanistan in January 2002. A total of 770 detainees were sent there; its population today of Afghans, Arabs and others stands at 455.
January 22, 2009
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A thorough study of where terrorist detainees should be held is needed before the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility is closed, according to Kansas U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback.
Brownback, a Republican, introduced legislation Wednesday that would require President Barack Obama to notify Congress 90 days in advance before a closure. The president also would have to provide a review answering questions about logistics, security and alternatives.
Brownback said he is confident such a review would show that Fort Leavenworth isn’t an appropriate site.
“The base is not equipped to handle the transfer of Guantanamo detainees and there is still no answer on how to avoid commingling prisoners and detainees, which is against the law,” Brownback said in a news release.
Brownback has toured the fort’s U.S. Disciplinary Barracks several times. He also has invited Obama to join him in a tour. Obama hasn’t yet responded, Brownback spokesman Brian Hart said.
Prior to Obama taking office, Brownback spoke with Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other defense officials about the matter, Hart said.
“They said they very much understand his concerns but if the president tells them to jump, they’ll jump high and quick,” Hart said.
Brownback’s concerns were heightened by a recent ABC News report that the Department of Defense had prepared a list of sites that could be used to hold as many as 250 detainees, Hart said.
According to abcnews.com, in addition to Fort Leavenworth, other sites are Camp Pendleton in California, Marine Air Station in Miramar, Calif., and the U.S. Naval Consolidated Brig in South Carolina.
“We had heard of the study but had never heard locations other than Leavenworth,” Hart said.
The Fort Leavenworth prison is the only maximum security military prison. Its capacity is 512 and it generally has about 450 inmates. A second prison, expected to open next year, is being built for 483 minimum and medium security inmates.
More like this
- Kansas senators threaten action over moving Guantanamo detainees to Leavenworth 52 comments / August 6, 2009
- Brownback hopeful detainees won’t be moved to Kansas 13 comments / February 10, 2009
- Senators: Don't bring detainees to Kansas 2 comments / June 26, 2008
- Army college begins session amid Guantanamo debate 2 comments / August 11, 2009
- Senator opposes moving detainees 12 comments / December 5, 2008
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22 January 2009
at 8:15 a.m.
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Ragingbear (Anonymous) says…
Ah Brownie. We got rid of Bush. I would say you are one of the next ones to go. Good riddance.
22 January 2009
at 8:34 a.m.
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Irish (Irish Swearingen) says…
I think the word terrorists should never have been used. There was to be another term. That word has created a new class of people Any war creates terror among those caught up in it. There are so many “terror” groups and each has its own agenda and way of fighting.They are not to stop because each one is convinced that what they are doing is right. How could we convince them that American is not targeting the Muslim faith for extinction? I have heard people say that after world war two that part of the country was artificially carved up and that has led to turmoil.But, everyone has to deal with life as it is today, not as we want it to be.We should all remember what our mums and dads taught us, the world does not revolve around you and your wants.
22 January 2009
at 10:17 a.m.
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snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
William Ayers will be adopting a few of the orphans of Gitmo.
22 January 2009
at 10:56 a.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
what a laugh, calling Brownback a genuine, non-corrupt individual. A lot of things can be said about him, but that is a joke. Has he been washing your feet and holding prayer sessions in your home?
22 January 2009
at 1:29 p.m.
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Judgesmails (Anonymous) says…
Sprinkle these idiots in county jails across the US.They'll have a great time with the local boysI'd also recommend to continue with the “musical torture”.Eminem? that is brilliant
22 January 2009
at 2:23 p.m.
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autie (Anonymous) says…
Brownback needs to shut up and go away. Now that his main handlers aren't in the picture, he'll run amock.
22 January 2009
at 8:10 p.m.
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jmadison (Anonymous) says…
Send them to Vermont so that Sen. Leahy, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, can assure himself that they are being treated properly.
22 January 2009
at 8:19 p.m.
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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…
hawk they are in cuba already.
22 January 2009
at 8:27 p.m.
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yankeelady (Anonymous) says…
Since they are already in Cuba just open the gates. Problem solved. Now if we could just get rid of Brownback as easily. He is positioning himself for the governors office by “protecting” us now. Of course if we hadn't gone to war to begin with, or at least planned a bit more, we wouldn't be having this discussion.
22 January 2009
at 11:30 p.m.
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dontcallmedan (Anonymous) says…
Simple. Build a new facility in Crawford, Texas.
23 January 2009
at 12:05 a.m.
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Multidisciplinary (Anonymous) says…
Heck,Eminem is nothing.Play Katy Perry's I Kissed a Girl, and You're So Gay back to back non stop. Every now and then toss in Kiss By Prince, I bet that would drive them batty.