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| White House orders Justice Department to look for other places to try KSM | |
| 2010-01-29 | |
"It would be an inconvenience at the least, and probably that's too mild a word for people that live in the neighborhood and businesses in the neighborhood," Bloomberg told reporters. "There are places that would be less expensive for the taxpayers and less disruptive for New York City." State leaders have railed against a plan to try Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in Manhattan federal court since Holder proposed it last month. The order to consider new venues does not change the White House's position that Mohammed should be tried in civilian court. "President Obama is still committed to trying Mohammed and four other terrorist detainees in federal court," spokesman Bill Burton said Thursday. "He agrees with the attorney general's opinion that ... he and others can be litigated successfully and securely in the United States of America, just like others have," Burton said. Burton referred questions about the location debate to the Justice Department. Officials there have apparently been caught off guard by the fiery opposition in New York, an insider told the Daily News. "They're in a tizzy at Justice over Bloomberg," a federal law enforcement official said. "It's like a half-baked souffle - the plan is collapsing." Meanwhile, a source told The News that Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly was the driving force behind the push by Manhattan business leaders to change the mayor's mind on the trial. Kelly made an "extremely powerful" speech to a roomful of 150 prominent business leaders about how disruptive and costly the trial would be for lower Manhattan at an annual police charity event on Jan. 13, the source said. "What turned this around was when Ray made a presentation to the Police Foundation," the source said. "Everyone went from thinking, 'Justice will be served' to thinking 'We are screwed.'" What followed was a barrage of complaints to the mayor from some of New York's most powerful tycoons - part of a tide of pressure that led Bloomberg to turn against hosting the trial. Estimates put the cost of a multiyear terror trial in lower Manhattan at about $200 million a year. Leaders have suggested other venues for the trial, such as the Military Academy at West Point or Stewart Air National Guard Base in upstate Newburgh. The federal government has said they would reimburse the city for the costs, most of which cover overtime for increased security, but they won't reimburse business owners for lost revenue during the chaos, said Steven Spinola, president of the heavyweight business group Real Estate Board of New York. "Is the federal government going to give the city $1 billion plus the cost of propping up businesses? I don't think so," Spinola said. "The mayor clearly has been thinking about this. The tide is turning," He said. By the end of the day Thursday, Bloomberg's open opposition to a Manhattan trial had snowballed into a near total rebuke of the plan by politicians statewide. Rep. Pete King made a push against a Manhattan trial by introducing a bill that would prohibit the use of Justice Department funds to try Guantanamo detainees in civilian courts. The Long Island Republican called the White House plan "one of the worst decisions ever made by any President" and insisted Mohammed should be tried by the military. Gov. Paterson reiterated his opposition to a Manhattan trial because of the price tag and the burden it will put on the downtown residents. "I think New Yorkers have been through enough," Paterson said on ABC's "The View." "In my opinion, maybe we all need to sit down and see if there isn't another venue." | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #6 how about at 30,000 ft? If he can fly under his own power... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2010-01-29 17:06 |
| #5 Beck says the White House. (or is security too lax there?) |
| Posted by: Tom- Pa 2010-01-29 16:14 |
| #4 Pelosi's front lawn. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2010-01-29 16:06 |
| #3 I prefer Ice Station Zebra for him ... |
| Posted by: Steve White 2010-01-29 10:21 |
| #2 ohh, I know. Hold the trial at Guantanimo Bay. |
| Posted by: newc 2010-01-29 09:21 |
| #1 Why New York? Take him to Area 51 or Antarctica. |
| Posted by: BrerRabbit 2010-01-29 07:43 |