The Future of Gitmo

By Ben Trott

Over the last couple of days, Obama has drawn attention after indicating, on Sunday, his reluctance to look into the legality of the Bush administration's treatment of terror suspects and eavesdropping. He did so on the ABC's This Week With George Stephanopoulos. (Incidentally, on the same day, Bush was on Fox News admitting to personally authorising 'enhanced interrogation techniques' (torture) on at least one occasion. To see the video, click here and scroll down to the end of Scott Horton's blog entry.)

In the ABC show, Obama is also said to have mentioned that the closing of the Guantánamo Bay detention camp was unlikely to happen within the first 100 days of his administration. The New York Times have a lengthy report on the interview, with some speculation as to the factors Obama may be taking into consideration.

However, Associated Press are today reporting that the executive order to close the camp could be issued as early his first week - or even day - in office.

Obama has, of course, been coming under considerable pressure to live up to his promise to close down 'Gitmo' as early as possible. As reported here in November, the American Civil Liberties Union have been running a campaign, calling for Obama to close the camp on day one of his presidency.