Close Guantanamo, Goldsmith tells US

azzuri · Close Guantanamo, Goldsmith tells US

Close Guantanamo, Goldsmith tells US

see - http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/61785.html

Lord Goldsmith, the attorney general, put himself on a collision course with Tony Blair last night when he insisted Guantanamo Bay should be shut.

The UK's most senior law officer said the controversial US prison camp for terror suspects should be closed "as a matter of principle".

His comments were in some contrast to those of the prime minister, who said earlier this week that Guantanamo Bay should merely be "put on some sort of proper judicial footing".

In a speech on UK terrorism legislation, seen in an international context, Lord Goldsmith argued that it was essential "in some cases to be flexible and to be prepared to countenance some limitation of rights in order to ensure collective security, if properly justified and proportionate".

But he added: "There are certain principles on which there can be no compromise... The existence of Guantanamo Bay remains unacceptable. It is time, in my view, that it should close.

"Not only would it, in my personal opinion, be right to close Guantanamo as a matter of principle, I believe it would also help to remove what has become a symbol to many – right or wrong – of injustice. The historic tradition of the US as a beacon of freedom, liberty, and of justice deserves the removal of this symbol."

Lord Goldsmith cited fair trial as one of principles on which there could be no compromise.

"[That] is the reason we in the UK were unable to accept that the US military tribunals proposed for those detained at Guantanamo Bay offered sufficient guarantees of a fair trial in accordance with international standards," he said.

"As you may know, having spent time negotiating with counterparts in the United States, I was unable to accept that the procedures proposed for the military tribunals were adequate to ensure a fair trial. I am pleased to note that, following this decision, all the British detainees were returned to the UK."

There are about 490 terror suspects held without trial at the camp. Lord Goldsmith negotiated the release of nine Britons who were detained there, although three former UK residents are still seeking High Court help to make the UK petition for their release.

The prime minister's official spokesman yesterday dodged questions about Lord Goldsmith's comments.

He said: "I would simply refer you to what the prime minister said at his monthly press conference, where he once again talked about why he believed that Guantanamo Bay should be put on some sort of proper judicial footing. That has been his position all along."

Pressed on whether Mr Blair agreed the camp should close, he said: "As the prime minister said on Monday, there is a genuine dilemma in that the US has good reason to believe that these people pose a threat and therefore to simply release them was not a practical solution.

"However, the prime minister does believe there should be a proper judicial process. He has always said that it was an anomaly and there should be a proper judicial process in place."