Brig's future considered for detention of terror suspects
Graham against Navy facility holding suspects if Guantanamo shuts down
Brad Nettles
The Post and Courier
The U.S. Naval Consolidated Brig is at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station in North Charleston.
HANAHAN — The Navy Brig shouldn't be considered a detention site for terror suspects if President-elect Barack Obama gets his way and shuts down the operation at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham said.
Almost everything about the brig in Hanahan is wrong for holding terror detainees into the future, including its location near Lowcountry urban population areas, he said.
A more preferable site, he said, would be to start anew with a secure and isolated militarized "supermax" type prison, a highly secure facility where some of the most notorious are assigned.
"Let the military house these folks in a prison that is designed for the threat," Graham said during a telephone interview.
Graham's comments come as Obama transition advisers have begun look-ing at ways to close Guantanamo and move prosecution of terror suspects to the United States.
No alternative holding sites have definitely been identified, but the brig at the Charleston Naval Weapons Station could play a role.
U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, whose 1st Congressional District includes the brig, said determination of where to house Guantanamo's prisoners should not be made in private.
"Any decision to close the facility housing detainees at Guantanamo should only come after a full evaluation of alternate locations for these individuals," he said. "Site selection by the Department of Defense must include ample opportunity for community input and a full disclosure of potential risks."
Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn declined to comment on speculation about the brig's future.
The brig's use as a suspected terrorist holding site first surfaced in June 2002 when authorities announced that accused "dirty bomber" Jose Padilla had been moved there. The disclosure came about a month after his arrest.
Two other terror detainees have since been held at the brig, including Saudi student Yaser Esam Hamdi, an American citizen picked up on the battlefield in Afghanistan; and Bradley University graduate Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, a Qatari arrested in Illinois as an alleged al-Qaida associate.
Previous Stories
Brig copied Gitmo; Military officer warned of prisoner's failing mental state, documents show, published 10/08/08
Brig's role has evolved; Hanahan facility held high-profile terror suspects, published 06/22/07
Only al-Marri is still there.
While Graham is against the extended use of the brig, a local defense attorney who represents al-Marri said he sees nothing wrong with increasing the brig's mission. Charleston lawyer Andy Savage said the brig already has the reputation of being as secure as a supermax prison.
He also said the staff is highly professional, the security is beyond question and that any talk of escapes or other plots is "nonsense political fodder."
The Obama camp is considering ways for some detainees to be released while others would be charged in U.S. courts where they could receive constitutional rights and open trials, The Associated Press reported. The notion has drawn some early criticism from Democrats who oppose creating a new legal system and from Republicans who oppose bringing terrorism suspects to the U.S. mainland.
About 255 detainees are held at Guantanamo, some of whom could be repatriated. But one hurdle U.S. authorities faces is that detainees' home governments, in many cases, do not want them back.
Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
This article has 25 comment(s)
Posted by GermanyXO on November 16, 2008 at 4:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What price are our opponents to the anti-terrorism mission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and our U.S. Navy Brig willing to pay to maintain our current state of national security? Maybe you heard it in a movie as well, but I had a commander advise me that if anyone who didn't have a need-to-know were to find out what we accomplished for the sake of national security, then our mission had failed. Opponents of these detention sites must ask themselves very personal questions:
1. Are you truly willing and able to grant U.S. Constitutional rights to someone who may of had the slightest involvement in terrorist actions against our country on Sept. 11, 2001?
2. Have you ever stepped foot on the battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan and been able to precisely discriminate the enemy combatants and enemy non-combatants from friendly civilians?
3. Have you ever served your military in combat and faced an enemy force that wears no formal military uniform to distinguish itself in order to prevent the loss of innocent lives?
4. Continuing to hold detainees may highlight the notion that our U.S. borders and immigration controls are not where they should be to maintain national security at a level to prevent another terrorist action against our country. Knowing this as a likely scenario, how would you act once all of these detainees were released? How would you defend our U.S. borders from someone who has now developed an increased, overwhelming hatred toward the United States of America?
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, NOR IS DEMOCRACY.
Posted by lillycollette on November 16, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
HELP -- I’ve forgotten (fallen) and can’t recall (get up)! Just what was it that Padilla -- actually -- did?
I remember being so wrapped around the axle over what our own legislature was pulling on us that I must have overlooked Padilla.
Up until June 5, 2002 under S.C. Code § 40-5-80 one had the -- right -- to use lay representation in court as long as the lay representative was -- not paid -- for their services.
Our legislature -- arbitrarily -- took away that -- right -- and determined that we would herein after have to hire -- and pay -- a licensed attorney presumably—for our own protection.
(LOL) See, http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/nov/....
Posted by goodkarmasc on November 16, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is Alkatraz still available?
To the lofty and noble notions that Germany expoused above;
Freedom is not free and is NOT freedom without due process.
Posted by lillycollette on November 16, 2008 at 7:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ditto on the due process.
Posted by chucktonian on November 16, 2008 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here's an idea for Lindsey Grahamnesty and Barry Obama: KEEP THE TERRORISTS IN GITMO!!!
Bringing these subhuman, savage animal pieces of garbage onto American soil and giving them rights is a DISASTER. Either keep them in Gitmo and throw away the key or line them up and shoot them. But don't let one more Islamic terrorist into this country.
Not now, not ever.
Besides...how would they get here? They're on the no-fly list!
Posted by pullmyfinger on November 16, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They should of left them dead on the battlefield. Or maybe we tell them that there are no virgins to die for only 72 fat hags in beekeeper suits. Then maybe they will lose the will to jihad against us.
Posted by KeepGitmo on November 16, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Terrorists and enemy combatants, have no "legal" rights. They have no nation state that they are fighting for in the war on terror.
Given the chance, they will return to kill more of America's brave troops or our allies.
But most liberals and especially Barack Hussein Obama, know nothing of sacrificing on the battle field. They dont care.
http://www.theobamafile.com/
Posted by sgtpsycho on November 16, 2008 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Bye Bye, USA.
Posted by SimplyMad on November 16, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JimIslander - then why dont you invite these peace loving innocents over for dinner?
You Bush haters are deluded and simply Mad! They deserve no trial in US courts. They are not US citizens, and they were captured on the battle field.
Posted by lotsonmymind on November 16, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jimislander- Where is your evidence that supports your allegations. I mean let say that you was correct and bush were torturing these prisoners. I would support it all the way. How many american military POWs are being tortured everday for information. EYE FOR AN EYE IS WHAT I SAY
Posted by zoomru on November 16, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
WHAT..... !!!
.."Let the military house these folks in a prison that is designed for the threat," Graham said during a telephone interview.
Graham's comments come as Obama transition advisers have begun look-ing at ways to close Guantanamo and move prosecution of terror suspects to the United States..."
What a smoke screen for OUR real THREAT !!! Being SLAVES to ONE form of ENERGY !! OIL ..!!!!
I am all for free markets but when one commodity has absolute control....it corrupts absolutely !!!!
We have ALGAE bio-diesel produced by AMERICAN FARMERS and we are NOT educating the Public !!! We are letting international external forces control the AMERICAN purse and economy !!! WE need FREE and OPEN markets !!!!
All this GITMO talk is diverting the attention away from OUR energy .... ENEMY !!!!
We let OIL speculators both foreign and domestic SUCK the consumer life blood out of US and brought on the Housing BUST do to the COST of everyday FUEL !!!!! Fuel for Milk..! Fuel for Bread..! Fuel for Railing Coal for electricity !!! Fuel to get to WORK !!! Fuel to go to weekend Football games !!!! Fuel for Vacation !! It may be cheaper at the moment...but WHAT !!!??? We import HOW much OIL ??? The rest of the WORLD knows HOW to control our ECONOMY...and what else ?....OUR military !!!!
WAKE ...UP ...CITIZENS ..OF ..THIS ...STATE !!!!
Posted by zoomru on November 16, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lindse' Suave' Graham-nista and James "Grand Master Flash" Clyburn.....its is sounding more and more like YOU two are OUR ENEMY !!!!
Clyburn doing business with Dubai ??.....instead of AMERICAN FARMERS ?!!!
Lindsey doing business with WHO ??..... uh..OH !!
EDUCATE YOURSELVES CITIZENS !!!!!!!!
Posted by seneca264 on November 16, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Navy Brig was not designed to house this type of prisoner. They need to be confined in a "supermax" type prison. The Navy Brig is not a prison, it is a detention facility. There is a huge difference. The Navy Brig would not be able to safely detain the folks from Guantanamo. I do not believe anyone in the decision tree would disagree with me on this point. I think smarter heads will prevail and this idea will be quickly axed. It is my opinion that the statement by Andy Savage, "the brig already has the reputation of being as secure as a supermax prison" is at best foolish and unfounded. There is a fundamental difference between housing a few alleged terrorists as opposed to housing 240.
Another potential problem with housing the detainees in Charleston will be the "target factor". Charleston will be possibly targeted by domestic "evil-doers" who wish to seek revenge on the folks in Charleston for holding their "brothers". Many of these folks are currently operating in this country and fully believe in the Jihad. Why place innocent civilians in harms way when you don't have to? There are hundreds of other options for housing these guys safely.
Posted by ironhorse on November 16, 2008 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
seneca264,
The brig is actually a "consolidated detention facility". It was built as and maintained as a federal prison from its inception.
It is VERY secure; I have visited it a few times. What makes it even more secure is the caliber of employee. Many qualifications and screening of the highest scrutiny to work there and the highest rate constant training while there. Compare that to the state prison system where almost anybody can walk off the street and be a prison guard
Why did Graham get reelected??? He is gay, is for amnesty, wants to free terrorists, and is an embarrassment to the state.
Posted by ceecee on November 16, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lotsonmymind posted - "eye for an eye is what I say".
A wise man said "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind". I would like to keep one of the greatest differences between us and them alive.
Posted by a_set_love on November 16, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The truth is that President "0" is punishing the people of South Carolina for not supporting his ascension unto power.
You just have to face the hard facts, President "0" feels you are expendable in the bigger scheme of his gaining power over the United States of America..
We have many prime targets in the Tri County Metro area... The U.S. Air Force Base, the U.S. State Department Financial Center and the aircraft Manufacturing Industry located in the City of North Charleston.
The Naval Weapons Station, with active nuclear reactors and Sparwars Naval facility in Goose Creek/Hanahan.
In the City of Charleston we have ..... Ah ..... ummm...the hysterical city hall building on Broad Street.
Posted by a_set_love on November 16, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"0"s true feeling and the path he plans to take regarding world affairs....
"US President-elect Barack Obama is planning to base his peacemaking efforts in the Middle East on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, The Sunday Times reported on Sunday, quoting sources close to Obama.
The Arab Peace Initiative, based on the Saudi peace plan of February 2002, calls for a full Israeli withdrawal from all territories taken in the Six Day War, including east Jerusalem, in exchange for normalizing ties with the Arab world."
Quoting an adviser to Obama, the report states that during his visit to the Middle East in July, the President-elect said Israel would be "crazy" to refuse a deal that could "give them peace with the Muslim world."
May GOD help us all!!!!
Posted by a_set_love on November 16, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by JimIslander on November 16, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by a_set_love on November 16, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The truth is that President "0" is punishing the people of South Carolina for not supporting his ascension unto power.
....................................................
Aw, did I upset you, Awwww........... LMAO
Posted by rockandroll on November 16, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Change, maybe for the worse.
Posted by ironhorse on November 16, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JimIslander is attacking a poster for comments about the Marxist prez elect. In another article, he supports gays protesting a vote, the legal outcome of the will of the people.
Imagine what his actions would be if Obama lost. Watch his tantrum when Palin is elected in 2012.
Leftist liberals always want things both ways and they ALWAYS get caught in their hypocrisy.
Posted by a_set_love on November 16, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats what you get for being an Obamanite, JimIslander. But then, you are a Charlestonian.
So I guess we have to overlook some of your ignorance.
You are so funny.
Posted by zoomru on November 16, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JimIslander......
we obviously don't realize who WE all are losing too..!!
we sure don't take advantage of the ENERGY right here in OUR own state first !!
Posted by 512c on November 16, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Any one know about the Germans and Italians that were locked in basements here in down town Charleston? And they had a village over by the Plantation by the bridge on Folly.
We need to quit manufacturing enemies.
Posted by iceman1978 on November 17, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anyone who knows me on these boards know that I strongly oppose the Iraq war because I see it as a diversion from the real war on terror in Afghanistan. Extraordinary rendition however, is not something that I've ever been opposed to. We are foolish if we close the site at Gitmo and move them to the US.
What about a remote region in the far north? Greenland or the Svalbard Islands are pretty remote and escape would be impossible.
Posted by jk on November 18, 2008 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, it looks like it is a possibility that the terrorists will be our new neighbors. No prison is 100% full-proof. Remember, Charleston is on a fault-line. Pradeep Talwani, a geophysics professor at USC and director of the S.C. Seismic Network says, "There's a major fault system that goes from Alabama to Virginia and it goes through Lake Murray. The Charleston faultline does present a threat to the Midlands."A magnitude 7 in Charleston can do more damage in Columbia than a magnitude 4 in Columbia," Talwani says. Are we ready to deal with 300 terrorists running free if there is an earthquake? Remember, the mission of a terrorist is to kill. No mercy.