|
WASHINGTON (AP) - The detention center for terrorist suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, probably will remain open beyond the end of President Bush's term despite his stated desire to close it, the White House said Friday.
Presidential spokesman Tony Snow also acknowledged that Defense Secretary Robert Gates, shortly after taking office last year, had argued for shutting down the prison quickly. Gates raised his concerns with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and deferred to his arguments for keeping Guantanamo open, Snow said.
Bush has said he wants to close Guantanamo if certain conditions can be met. But Snow said it was unlikely Guantanamo would be closed during Bush's presidency, because conducting military commissions for the most-dangerous remaining detainees and resolving where to put others will take some time.
|