Senate’s defense bill would allow Guantanamo Bay to finally close
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/19/senates-defense-bill-would-allow-guantanamo-bay-to-finally-close/
Senates defense bill would allow Guantanamo Bay to finally close
By Agence France-Presse
Tuesday, November 19, 2013 13:30 EST
The US Senate debated a defense bill Tuesday that would ease restrictions on detainee transfers from Guantanamo, a major first step toward closing the controversial war-on-terror prison.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the provision should be the first measure debated and voted on in the defense spending bill for 2014 now under consideration, and which Congress is aiming to pass in December.
President Barack Obamas Democrats and rival Republicans are largely split on the future of the detention facility at the US Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Shortly after his 2009 inauguration Obama pledged to close the prison, but the goal has eluded him, complicated by claims from opponents that some released detainees went on to join terror groups back home.