" *closing gitmo is on his agenda, but it's was the Pentagon that released the prisoners* **" but on order from the Commander-In-Chief .
On Wed, Dec 23, 2015 at 3:15 PM, plainolamerican <[email protected]> wrote: > There is no question that the intent to close Guantanamo is President > Obama's and his alone! > --- > closing gitmo is on his agenda, but it's was the Pentagon that released > the prisoners. > > > On Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 2:04:09 PM UTC-6, KeithInTampa wrote: >> >> Wrong again Plain Ol'. There is no question that the intent to close >> Guantanamo is President Obama's and his alone! As a matter of fact, the >> Pentagon has been opposed to this move, (and when those Generals have >> opposed the President, they have been dismissed!) >> >> I just don't get how you can twist hate filled Progressive Anti-American >> policy and rhetoric into something that you now act like you support. It's >> unbecoming. >> >> >> http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/White-House-Obama-Pentagon-Guantanamo-Bay/2015/12/01/id/704158/ >> >> >> http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/12/02/white-house-pentagon-plan-close-guantanamo-bay-pricey-600m/ >> >> On Wed, Dec 23, 2015 at 1:07 PM, plainolamerican <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >> that decision was made by the Pentagon, not Obama. >> >> On Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 11:27:15 AM UTC-6, Bill wrote: >> >> If any innocents die because of Obama's release of these terrorists then >> their blood will be upon Obama's hands....... >> >> In a message dated 12/23/2015 8:25:00 A.M. Pacific Standard Time, >> [email protected] writes: >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> http://www.hstoday.us/columns/the-kimery-report/blog/in-keeping-his-pledge-to-empty-out-gitmo-obama-releases-hardened-al-qaeda-other-jihadists-pentagon-deemed-most-high-risk/cbf530fdbc22854a69976d9c9bf6c892.html >> >> >> >> In Keeping His Pledge to Empty Out GITMO, Obama Releases Hardened Al >> Qaeda, Other Jihadists Pentagon Deemed Most ‘High Risk’ >> >> *September 28, 2015* >> >> By: Anthony Kimery, Editor-in-Chief >> >> During the last two months, the Obama administration -- in its continuing >> effort to close down Joint Task Force-Guantanamo (JTF-GITMO) -- has >> released four more Al Qaeda members the Pentagon earlier repeatedly >> considered to be a “high risk” of reengaging in jihad if freed. >> >> >> >> The latest detainee released, Saudi-born British resident Shakir Abd Al >> Rahim Muhammad Aamer, had been “assessed to be a high risk, as he is likely >> to pose a threat to the US, its interests and allies,” stated a leaked >> JTF-GITMO assessment report about him >> <http://www.hstoday.us/fileadmin/PDFs/Shaker_Aamer.pdf>. >> >> >> >> The Pentagon’s reasons for his continued detention was because he “is a >> member of Al Qaeda, with significant ties to senior level extremists, to >> include Usama Bin Laden … held a senior level position among the UK based >> Al Qaeda cell, is a reported facilitator, recruiter and financier and is >> associated with Al Qaeda cells inside the US. Detainee was an assessed >> combatant sub-Commander in Tora Bora where he participated in hostilities >> against US and Coalition forces,” and “has lengthy ties to militant jihad >> and has received basic and advanced training, to include explosives >> training.” >> >> >> >> According to his previously secret Guantanamo case file, he “admitted” >> associating with “Shoebomber” Richard Reid, and was a roommate of Zaccarias >> Moussoui, the convicted 9/11 plotter. >> >> >> >> Furthermore, Aamer “has shown a willingness to become a martyr for his >> cause.” >> >> >> >> His leaked JTF-GITMO assessment disclosed that he “has expressed a desire >> to become a martyr and gave indications of attacking US citizens upon >> release,” and that … he would be happy to be a martyr for his religion.” >> >> >> >> He also stated “the United States would, and should, fall because it has >> become an unjust nation and God would take his revenge on the United States >> for the unlawful imprisonment of innocent Muslims just as himself.” >> >> >> >> He further “stated it was honorable that the insurgents in Iraq were >> willing to give their lives for what they believed was a noble cause.” >> >> >> >> Then Guantanamo commander, Rear Admiral Mark H Buzby, detailed DoD’s >> concerns that Aamer would seek to launch a terrorist attack against the >> United States if he were ever to be freed in his November 1, 2007 JTF-GITMO >> assessment report. >> >> >> >> In January, Obama stated he would ‘prioritize’ the release of Aamer, who >> other GITMO detainees consider to be their leader, and who was cleared for >> release by the Bush administration in 2007, at the same time the Pentagon >> said he should remain under DoD detention because of the “high risk” he >> posed to the US, its allies and interests. >> >> >> >> But that same year, the British Foreign Office said Aamer should not be >> freed because of “significant additional security concerns.” Nevertheless, >> he was subsequently cleared for release in 2010 by the Guantánamo Review >> Task Force in which six US intelligence agencies, including the CIA and >> FBI, reputedly agreed he no longer posed a threat to the United States or >> its allies. >> >> >> >> In a letter from the then UK Foreign Secretary William Hague to Aamer’s >> lawyer, Aamer had apparently only been cleared for transfer back to his >> native Saudi Arabia. >> >> >> >> But under the terms of his release, he is being transferred to British >> security authorities instead. >> >> >> >> The British-based Save Shaker Aamer compaign has long alleged >> <http://saveshaker.org/wikileaks-file-proves-that-shaker-aamer-should-be-released/60> >> that, “The Guantanamo files confirm that Guantanamo is a colossal crime >> against humanity committed against those who were rounded up as part of the >> frantic search by the US for intelligence on Osama Bin Laden. They are >> victims, expendable in the pursuit of vengeance for 9/11.” >> >> >> >> In November 2014, an *Al Jazeera* report stated, “Cleared for release >> for more than seven years, Aamer should be freed immediately.” He was >> among dozens of detained jihadists the American Civil Liberties Union >> stated Obama approved for release in 2012 >> <https://www.aclu.org/files/assets/list_of_guantanamo_prisoners_approved_for_transfer.pdf>. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> *The release of Shalabi* >> >> >> >> Abdul Shalabi, who is believed to have been a bodyguard for Bin Laden, >> was transferred to Saudi Arabia earlier this month, the Defense Department >> announced last week. >> >> >> >> Shalabi's transfer from Guantanamo is the third detainee released in less >> than a week, leaving 114 former “high-value targets” still in custody. >> >> >> >> On June 15, a Periodic Review Board (PRB) review consisting of >> representatives from the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice >> and State; the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Office of the Director of >> National Intelligence, determined continued law of war detention of Shalabi >> “does not remain necessary to protect against a continuing significant >> threat to the security of the United States. >> >> >> >> As a result of that review, which examined a number of factors, including >> security issues, Shalabi was recommended for transfer by consensus of the >> six departments and agencies comprising the Periodic Review Board,” the >> Pentagon announced. >> >> >> >> The PRB process was established by Obama’s March 7, 2011 Executive Order >> 13567 >> <https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/07/executive-order-13567-periodic-review-individuals-detained-guant-namo-ba>. >> >> >> >> >> In accordance with statutory requirements, the secretary of defense >> informed Congress of the United States' intent to transfer Shalabi and of >> his determination that this transfer meets the statutory standard. >> >> >> >> In 2007 and again in 2008, JTF-GTMO recommended Shalabi continue to be >> detained under DoD control primarily because he “has familial ties to Usama >> Bin Laden and has demonstrated his hatred for Americans at JTF-GTMO and >> will likely reestablish ties to Al Qaeda and other extremist elements if >> released,” stated his leaked classified JTF-GITMO file >> <http://www.hstoday.us/fileadmin/PDFs/Abdul_Shalabi.pdf>. >> >> >> >> The same 2008 file also reasoned that he “will require a long-term, >> dedicated plan to solicit information of intelligence value.” >> >> >> >> Shalabi “is a member of Al Qaeda and a long-term bodyguard for Usama Bin >> Laden, serving in that position beginning in 1999,” his secret 2008 PRB >> report disclosed, noting he’d “received specialized close combat training >> for his role as a suicide operative in an aborted component of the 11 >> September 2001 Al Qaeda attacks.” He also “participated in hostilities >> against US and Coalition forces and was captured with a group referred to >> as the Dirty 30, which included [Bin Laden] bodyguards and an assessed 20th >> September 11, 2001 hijacker.” >> >> >> >> He also “received basic militant and advanced training at Al Qaeda >> associated training camps.” >> >> >> >> The Department of Defense transfered Shalabi to the government of the >> Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, saying, "The United States is grateful to the >> government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its willingness to support >> ongoing US efforts to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility. The >> United States coordinated with the government of the Kingdom of Saudi >> Arabia to ensure this transfer took place consistent with appropriate >> security and humane treatment measures.” >> >> >> >> >> >> *The first release since September* >> >> >> >> The first detainee released since September was Libyan national Omar >> Mohammed Khalif Abu Bakr >> <http://www.hstoday.us/columns/the-kimery-report/blog/another-high-risk-al-qaeda-tied-gitmo-detainee-to-be-released/3c4bb2c056bc275e33a63515a2d5e5f5.html>, >> who’d been determined by the JTF-GITMO PRB that detaining Khalif “is no >> longer necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the >> security of the United States.” >> >> >> >> The PRB said Abu Bakr’s deteriorating health and “constructive role in >> the detention environment” are factors in the administration’s decision to >> order his release. >> >> >> >> “While the board acknowledges the detainee’s past terrorist-related >> activities and connections, it found that the risk the detainee presents >> can be adequately mitigated,” the PRB concluded -- a decision glaringly at >> odds with past recent decisions that Abu Bakr should remain in DOD custody >> because of the “high risk” danger he was assessed to pose to the US and its >> interests. >> >> >> >> >> >> *Chekkouri’s release* >> >> >> >> Earlier, Younis Abdurrahman Chekkouri was transferred from GITMO to >> Morocco. >> >> >> >> Agence France-Presse reported there’s no indication whether Chekkouri >> will be imprisoned in Morocco, put under house arrest or simply set free. >> He was not immediately freed upon arrival in Morocco. >> >> >> >> The Pentagon said Chekkouri was sent home to Morocco following a >> "comprehensive" PRB security review. But in 2007, and again in 2008, >> JTF-GITMO stated Chekkouri should continue to be detained under DoD control >> because, “If released without rehabilitation, close supervision and means >> to successfully reintegrate into his society as a law-abiding citizen, it >> is assessed detainee would probably seek out prior associates and reengage >> in hostilities and extremist support activities.” >> >> >> >> “Since his transfer to JTF-GTMO, detainee has been somewhat compliant >> with the guard force, but has one incident of threatening to kill a guard. >> He is non- cooperative with debriefers and withholds information of >> intelligence value, probably indicating his continued support for Islamic >> extremism,” a leaked secret 2008 JTF-GITMO report on Chekkouri stated >> <http://www.hstoday.us/fileadmin/PDFs/Younis_Abdurrahman_Chekkouri.pdf>. >> >> >> >> Continuing, the formerly “secret” report said he “co-founded the Moroccan >> Islamic Fighting Group (GICM) and served as the head of its Military >> Commission.” >> >> >> >> He also “formerly oversaw GICM operations in Afghanistan, Syria and >> Turkey. Detainee is assessed to have been a close Usama Bin Laden associate >> who played a central role in coordinating mutual support between the GICM >> and Al Qaeda, to include providing GICM fighters to support Al Qaeda combat >> operations in Afghanistan and terrorist attacks in Europe.” >> >> >> >> GICM is believed to be responsible for deadly bombings in Casablanca in >> 2003 and Madrid in 2004. >> >> >> >> Chekkouri also was “assessed to have engaged in hostilities against US >> and Coalition forces as the GICM senior commander on the Bagram front lines >> and at Tora Bora, and was captured with other extremist fighters fleeing >> Tora Bora. Detainee ran the Moroccan Training Camp at the Derunta Training >> Complex and trained militant fighters in explosive detonators, chemical >> weapons and military tactics at the Algerian Guesthouse in Jalalabad >> [Afghanistan] and at Derunta. Detainee has familial ties to the GICM and Al >> Qaeda members, including former JTF-GTMO detainees who have attempted to >> reconstitute the GICM.” >> >> >> >> In 2008, he was “assessed to be a high risk who is likely to reaffiliate >> with the Al Qaeda network as a senior commander and resume hostilities upon >> release.” >> >> >> >> Nevertheless, the Pentagon said the interagency Guantanamo Review Task >> Force conducted a comprehensive review of his case, and that as a result of >> that review -- which examined a number of factors, including security >> issues -- Chekkouri was unanimously approved for transfer by the six >> departments and agencies comprising the task force. >> >> >> >> "The United States coordinated with the government of Morocco to ensure >> this transfer took place consistent with appropriate security and humane >> treatment measures," a Pentagon spokesman said. >> >> >> >> >> >> *The others* >> >> >> >> A week after the one-year travel ban expired for the five “high risk” >> former top Taliban- and Al Qaeda-linked Guantanamo detainees who were >> exchanged for captured US Army Sgt. Robert Bergdahl (allowing the Taliban >> jihadists to return to Afghanistan and rejoin the jihad against the West >> and America), the Obama administration released another six “high risk” >> Yemeni Al Qaeda operatives >> <http://www.hstoday.us/columns/the-kimery-report/blog/six-more-high-risk-gitmo-detainees-released-by-obama-lawmaker-calls-it-reckless/3707d3bac4b4ae266e31e2a407c0a62b.html> >> to Oman in a move that infuriated both Republicans and Democrats, as >> lawmakers ruminate new restrictions on further transfers. >> >> >> >> Yemen is home to Al Qaeda’s most dangerous affiliate, Al Qaeda in the >> Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The transfers of the Yemeni detainees were made >> in spite of the fact Obama’s own intelligence advisors confirmed one-third >> of released detainees have re-engaged in jihad. >> >> >> >> *Homeland Security Today* reported in-depth in its January 22, 2015 >> report, *There Will be Blood: Freeing the Vilest of the Vile from GITMO* >> <http://www.hstoday.us/columns/the-kimery-report/blog/there-will-be-blood-freeing-the-vilest-of-the-vile-from-gitmo/31e8f365252c825c96038bc24ff4eee7.html>, >> that the five senior Taliban- Al Qaeda-linked detainees the administration >> released in June 2014 were freed because the administration has >> consistently claimed that the remaining GITMO detainees – the last and most >> dangerous of whom pose a high risk of re-engaging in jihad -- is because >> “GITMO continues to inspire violent acts around the globe.” >> >> >> >> “We are committed to closing the detention facility. That’s our goal and >> we are working toward that goal,” Ian Moss, a spokesman for the Department >> of State on GITMO issues has said. >> >> >> >> In his January 20, 2015 State of the Union address, Obama stated, “As >> Americans, we have a profound commitment to justice. So it makes no sense >> to spend $3 million per prisoner to keep open a prison that the world >> condemns and terrorists use to recruit. (Applause). Since I’ve been >> President, we’ve worked responsibly to cut the population of GITMO in half. >> Now it is time to finish the job. And I will not relent in my determination >> to shut it down. It is not who we are. It’s time to close GITMO. >> (Applause).” >> >> >> >> Yet, in November, 2012, the Obama administration pressured Iraq not to >> release senior Hezbollah leader Ali Mussa Daqduq -- who’d been captured by >> US troops in Basra on March 20, 2007 and eventually turned over to Iraq for >> prosecution -- because the administration believed he’d likely commit more >> acts of terrorism against US forces if he were released. The US said the >> Hezbollah operative was guilty of kidnapping, torturing and murdering US >> soldiers in Iraq. Two Iraqi courts found him not guilty and ordered his >> release against the US’s wishes. >> >> >> >> The contrast to the administration’s release of potentially dangerous >> Taliban and Al Qaeda operatives – both organizations share the same goal; >> global jihad – couldn’t be any more glaring. >> >> >> >> Indeed. Officials said there’s a high recidivism rate among the most >> hardened jihadists so far released. If that’s true, then the release of >> Taliban and Al Qaeda members this year whom the Department of Defense >> declared several times should not be released because of the risk they >> pose, is at odds with Obama’s executive order “to effect the appropriate >> disposition of individuals currently detained and promptly close” GITMO in >> a manner that’s “consistent with the national security and foreign policy >> interests of the United States.” >> >> >> >> National Security Council spokesman Ned Price repeated Obama’s argument >> that keeping GITMO open gives Islamist jihadists a reason to carry out >> attacks against the United States. >> >> >> >> “As the president has repeatedly made clear, the administration is >> determined to close the” facility, Price said. “We are taking all possible >> steps to reduce the detainee population at Guantanamo and to close the >> detention facility in a responsible manner.” >> >> >> >> "It is not in our national security interest to continue to detain >> individuals if we as a government have determined that they can be >> transferred from Guantanamo responsibly,” stated said Ian Moss, who works >> on detainee transfers at the State Department. >> >> >> >> >> >> *Analysis* >> >> >> >> “Not in our national interest to continue to detain them?” sarcastically >> quipped one of several counterterrorism officials *Homeland Security >> Today* earlier interviewed on background because they aren’t authorized >> to discuss the matter. >> >> >> >> This “doesn’t seem to me to be consistent with protecting our national >> security … or, as the President said in his State of the Union address, >> working responsibly to cut GITMO’s population!” the official said. >> >> >> >> “There’s just not much intel to back up [the administration’s reasoning] >> for letting these terrorists loose. There’s just not,” another one of the >> counterterrorism officials earlier expressed to *Homeland Security Today*. >> >> >> >> >> “So, let me get this straight; releasing hardened, devoutly Islamist >> jihadists – the true believers whose minds aren’t going to be changed -- is >> going to stop Al Qaeda, its affiliates, ISIS and other jihad groups and >> organizations to suddenly stop recruiting and carrying out jihad? That's >> just messed up,” another official stated. >> >> >> >> Rep. Howard P. McKeon (R-Calif.) chairman of the House Armed Services >> Committee, and Sen. James Inofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate >> Armed Services Committee, stated in a joint statement last year that the >> administration’s >> >> ... > > -- > -- > Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. > For options & help see http://groups.google.com/group/PoliticalForum > > * Visit our other community at http://www.PoliticalForum.com/ > * It's active and moderated. 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