Obama calls for halt to Gitmo prosecutions.

[Skybird]

He said he would close it, so no surprise. A legal vacuum, a spot of shame on the American flag. Time to clean it.

On the question of who should take those prisoners who could not be sent back to their countries without needing to fear torture and mistreatement, there are two scenarios.

Either the prisoner in question is innocent and harmless (and we have had quiet some of these now), then nothing speaks against the US taking him in, if he is innocent or harmless, if he wants that. After all, america has a debt to such a person.

If he is considered dangerous, again the US should take him, for I see no reason why it should be acceptable for protesting, opposing european states to take such a person and take the risk, and the US getting rid of the risk and problem for free.

I don't buy this negotiating of what countries take what prisoners. The US started it, so they have to take them, period. Only those persons who are innocent and have the wish not to stay in the country whose hijacked "hospitality" they have enjoyed over the past years, should be given the choice to go to a european country, if they wish that. Problematic cases America has to find a solution for by itself, taking the efforts and risks itself, too, becasue it is responsible for the status quo and has created the mess. I do not accept prisoners with risks being exported from America to Europe. Also, after up to seven years without legal proceedings, such people either are brought to court right now on the basis of valid civil law codes, or released. There was opportunity and time enough to charge and sentence (or release) them.