Detainees unwelcome in Kansas

Detainees unwelcome in Kansas
Obama orders Guantanamo Bay detention facility closed within a year


Friday, January 23, 2009

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President Obama’s early action to close Guantanamo Bay’s detention facility has Kansas lawmakers and others scrambling to bring in Fort Leavenworth’s welcome mat.

Two days into his presidency, Mr. Obama signed an executive order Thursday for closure of the military prison in at least a year. He assigned a task force to determine where to move the 245 suspected terrorists that remain in detention.

U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Lynn Jenkins, both Kansas Republicans, suspect the destination might be the disciplinary barracks at Fort Leavenworth, located about 38 miles south of St. Joseph.

They have filed legislation in both legislative chambers looking to pre-empt such a move.

“Kansas is no place for enemy combatants or terrorists,” Mr. Brownback said in a statement Thursday.

His legislation, called the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility Safe Closure Act, calls for the president to provide 90 days’ notice before transferring prisoners from Cuba and to include a feasibility study concerning the move.

Mr. Brownback contends the Fort Leavenworth disciplinary unit proves unsuitable because of its medium-security design, its proximity to the community airport and its lack of on-base medical facilities. He added the housing of detainees would detract from the fort’s primary mission as an educational center for military leaders.

The senator repeated his invitation for Mr. Obama to tour the base. Republican Sens. Christopher Bond of Missouri and Pat Roberts of Kansas signed on as co-sponsors of the Brownback bill.

In a meeting of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Thursday, Mr. Bond said Guantanamo’s closing posed a number of problems.

“I can’t think of any city or town across this country that will be thrilled to have Khalid Sheikh Mohammad or Abu Zubaydah living down the street,” the Missourian said. “These are not ordinary bank robbers.”

Sen. Roberts said in a Thursday statement, “If President Obama and U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein want it closed, why don’t they move it to Illinois or California?”

Ms. Jenkins, a couple of weeks into her first term in Congress, also sent a letter to Mr. Obama expressing concerns about the possible transfer of detainees.

Her legislation in the House, filed Jan. 6, prohibits the use of federal dollars for the transfer of enemy combatants from Guantanamo to Kansas. Two other Kansas representatives, Jerry Moran and Todd Tiahrt, both Republicans, signed on as co-sponsors.

“Any action that jeopardizes the central educational mission of the fort by transforming it into the Guantanamo of the Midwest is the wrong direction,” Ms. Jenkins said in a Thursday statement.

Other lawmakers celebrated Mr. Obama’s prompt action on the Guantanamo matter.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, the Maryland Democrat and majority leader, said Thursday, “By moving to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, reevaluating detainee policy, and categorically ending harsh interrogation techniques, the president puts America on a stronger footing against those enemies who hate our nation and its ideals.”