White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement Friday (posted below) that President Barack Obama “remains determined to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay” and, in support of those efforts, the Defense Department has signaled its intention to send two detainees to Algeria.
In a major national security speech in May, Obama reiterated his desire to close the controversial detention facility, which he said “has become a symbol around the world for an America that flouts the rule of law.”
As the President has said, the United States remains determined to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. In support of those efforts, today the Department of Defense certified to Congress its intent to repatriate an additional two detainees to Algeria. We are taking this step in consultation with the Congress, and in a responsible manner that protects our national security.
We continue to call on Congress to join us in supporting these efforts by lifting the current restrictions that significantly limit our ability to transfer detainees out of Guantanamo, even those who have been approved for transfer.
