Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Barrett warns of detainees in S.C.

WASHINGTON -- The White House said Friday no decisions have been made about transferring detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to the Navy brig in Charleston or other prisons on the U.S. mainland.

"Multiple options are being considered," said White House spokesman Ben LaBolt, adding, "No decisions have been made about where to hold military commission proceedings for detainees."

The White House issued its statement after U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, a candidate for the Republican nomination for S.C. governor, issued a news release asking Gov. Mark Sanford "to fight the Obama administration's decision to transfer up to 10 suspected terrorists from Guantanamo Bay to Charleston."

Barrett's news release continued:

"Earlier today, I learned that President Obama intends to transfer terrorists from the detainee facility at Guantanamo Bay to the Naval Brig in Charleston. This decision is deeply disturbing and jeopardizes the safety and security of countless families in South Carolina and across the country."