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| Guantanamo Inmates Ready to Face Tribunals |
| 2004-07-17 |
| Most of the 594 U.S. prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, appear willing to go before a tribunal that would give them a chance to convince military officers they have been wrongly detained, the Navy secretary said Friday. Gordon England, who is overseeing the tribunal process at the Navy base, said the first hearings will begin late next week or early the following one. He offered no assessment of the prisoners' chances for release but said anyone found to be wrongly held would be returned to his home country. The Pentagon said the purpose of the tribunals is to prepare for those court challenges by showing that a panel of military officers has reviewed each prisoner's case. The prisoners, held with little or no contact with the outside for two years or more, were told of the Supreme Court's decision on their rights during the past several days. England, briefing reporters at the Pentagon, said most reacted positively and wanted to meet with the military officer who will serve as their personal representative during the tribunal. "Most of the people who received this information listened, read and asked questions," England said. "And their most commonly asked questions were: 'When can I meet with my personal representative? And when will the tribunal process begin?'" Every prisoner's case will be reviewed, whether he wants to take part in the quasijudicial process or not. Those who participate can request affidavits from witnesses, including people overseas. England said the prisoners also will be told their assigned personal representatives are not their advocates. He acknowledged any incriminating information a prisoner might provide to the representative, or to a translator, could be used in the tribunal. "This isn't a trial," England said. "This is looking at facts." |
| Posted by:Steve White |