Pentagon denies reports that Gitmo detainees are heading to Hanahan

A Pentagon spokeswoman denies an assertion by two Congressmen that the White House plans to move up to 10 detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to the Naval Consolidated Brig in Hanahan.

"We're still looking at facilities," said Maj. Tanya Bradsher, a Department of Detainee Affairs press officer. She said the decision on the detainees won't be made until the White House first decides how to handle their legal cases. "We hope to have that in a few weeks," she said, adding that "I don't think a decision (about where the Guantanamo detainees will be sent) is imminent."

The possibility of such a move had been widely speculated on after President Barack Obama vowed quickly after being sworn in to close the Cuba detention facility.

S. C. Congressmen Gresham Barrett and Henry Brown issued statements condemning the action.

Both Barrett and Brown said all their information came from FOX-News and that they have not been contacted by the White House or another official source.

Asked if he regretted issuing a statement based on a report that might not be true, Barrett said, “We have been on the record to make sure that these terrorists do not come into South Carolina, and if there is even talk of these guys, the potential of these terrorists coming into South Carolina, we want to make sure that people understand that it is totally unacceptable.

"Whether it’s confirmed or it’s rumor, we want to make sure people understand exactly what our position is.”

Political leaders from the local to national level have voiced opposition to such a move. U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint wrote a bill that would prohibit spending federal money to move detainees from Cuba to Hanahan or anywhere else in the United States, but it did not pass.

Barrett said he has spoken with Gov. Mark Sanford and urged him to do everything within his power, including pursuing legal action, to stop the transfer of detainees to South Carolina.

Check back with postandcourier.com for more information as it becomes available, and read more in tomorrow’s editions of Post and Courier.