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Obama Will Issue Order to Close Gitmo

Exec edict may come as soon as Jan. 20: transition team

By the Associated Press

Posted Jan 12, 2009 4:05 PM CST

(AP) – President-elect Barack Obama is preparing to issue an executive order in his first week in office—perhaps his first day—to close the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay, according to two transition-team advisers, the AP reports. Nonethless, it is unlikely the detention facility at the US Navy base in Cuba will actually be closed anytime soon.

In an interview last weekend, Obama said it would be "a challenge" to close it even within the first 100 days of his administration. But the order, which one adviser said could be issued as early as Jan. 20, would start the process of deciding what to do with the estimated 250 al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects and potential witnesses who are being held there. Most have not been charged with a crime.

In an image reviewed by the US military, razor wire topped fences line the Camp Six detention facility on the US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Mandel Ngan, Pool)

President-elect Barack Obama speaks to reporters during his meeting with Mexico's President Felipe Calderon, not pictured, in Washington, today. (AP Photo)

President-elect Barack Obama speaks to reporters as he meets with Mexico's President Felipe Calderon in Washington today. (AP Photo)

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Obama Will Issue Order to Close Gitmo

Exec edict may come as soon as Jan. 20: transition team

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Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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Obama Will Issue Order to Close Gitmo

Exec edict may come as soon as Jan. 20: transition team

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Barack Obama • Guantanamo Bay • terrorist • executive order • President Obama • President-elect Obama

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Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

Obama Unveils $3.8T Budget, Targets Rich

Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

White House to Budge on Birth-Control Mandate

'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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