Associated Press
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said yesterday that he favors closing the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay as soon as possible because he believes that negative publicity worldwide about the treatment of suspected terrorists has been “pretty damaging” to the image of the United States.
“I’d like to see it shut down,” Adm. Mike Mullen told three reporters who toured the detention center with him on his first visit since becoming chairman of the Joint Chiefs in October.
He stressed that a closure decision is not his to make and that he understands that there are complex legal questions that the Bush administration believes would have to be settled first, such as where to move prisoners.
The admiral noted that some of Guantanamo Bay’s prisoners are deemed high security threats. During a tour of Camp Six, a high-security facility holding about 100 prisoners, Mullen got a firsthand look at some of the cells. U.S. officers told him how they maintain almost-constant watch over each prisoner.
Mullen, whose previous visit was in December 2005 as chief of naval operations, noted that President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates also have spoken publicly in favor of closing the prison. But Mullen said he is unaware of any active discussion in the administration to close it.