We must have a thorough process of periodic review, so that any prolonged detention is carefully evaluated and justified. If and when we determine that the United States must hold individuals to keep them from carrying out an act of war, we will do so within a system that involves judicial and congressional oversight. Finally, each year we will voluntarily report to Congress when we have invoked the privilege and why, because there must be proper oversight of our actions.The second category of cases involves detainees who violate the laws of war and are best tried through Military Commissions.
This balance brings with it a precious responsibility. I took an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief, and as a citizen, I know that we must never – ever – turn our back on its enduring principles for expedience sake. And I do know with certainty that we can defeat al Qaeda.I want to be honest: this is the toughest issue we will face.As our efforts to close Guantanamo move forward, I know that the politics in Congress will be difficult. So I want to take this opportunity to lay out what we are doing, and how we intend to resolve these outstanding issues.
They serve as a recruitment tool for terrorists, Fiber Enclosure and increase the will of our enemies to fight us, while decreasing the will of others to work with America.It is the reason why America has benefited from strong alliances that amplified our power, and drawn a sharp and moral contrast with our adversaries.In other words, we went off course. The argument that somehow by releasing those memos, we are providing terrorists with information about how they will be interrogated is unfounded – we will not be interrogating terrorists using that approach, because that approach is now prohibited. But there is not.There is also no question that Guantanamo set back the moral authority that is America’s strongest currency in the world.The fourth category of cases involves detainees who we have determined can be transferred safely to another country.
On one side of the spectrum, there are those who make little allowance for the unique challenges posed by terrorism, and who would almost never put national security over transparency. And if we refuse to deal with these issues today, then I guarantee you that they will be an albatross around our efforts to combat terrorism in the future. Together we have a responsibility to enlist our values in the effort to secure our people, and to leave behind the legacy that makes it easier for future Presidents to keep this country safe. We are closing the prison at Guantanamo.
