Barack Obama Orders Halt to GITMO Prosecutions

Prior to Barack Obama’s inauguration a big deal regarding Guantanamo Bay was made regarding a reversal of Bush policy on the terrorist detainees and the location of their incarceration. An executive order was to be made immediatley following Obama becoming President.

Here it is.

In one of his first acts in office President Obama has ordered the U.S. government to suspend prosecutions of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay for 120 days, military officials said Tuesday.

Papers filed at the U.S. prison camp said the request is made “in the interest of justice and at the direction of the president of the United States.” It seeks a delay in proceedings until May 20.

“The judges will receive the requests and review them, and we anticipate a ruling soon,” said Cmdr. Jeffrey Gordon, a Defense Department spokesman.

Tuesday’s directive was issued verbally through Defense Secretary Bob Gates, according to a military official.

This is a big deal?

A Reagan – Iranian hostage release inauguration moment?

No, it is more symbolism over substance or Plus Ca Change from Obama.

Ed Morrissey explains why the Obama decision is nothing but delay.

In this case, justice delayed is not much of a change at all.  Did Obama not have an idea of how to proceed when he took office?  A four-month delay only means that the detainees will have to wait that much longer to see any adjudication of their status.  Why not allow the tribunals to proceed, at least to get a finding of fact from them?  If Obama wants to invalidate the process later, he can also invalidate their findings.  It’s difficult to see what Obama expects to get from a further delay, especially since one of the main complaints about Gitmo has been the length of time the men have been held without adjudication.

The delay would only be meaningful if Obama intended to free all of the Gitmo prisoners, something that the ACLU has urged.  Somehow, I don’t think Barack Obama would be that foolish.  It would be tough to win re-election as the man who set Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other 9/11 actors free simply to win favor from Europe’s elite.

In the end, Obama’s policy may not be that different from the Bush Administration. Campaign rhetoric is one thing; actual governance is another.

Here is another example of Barack Obama’s policy positions having an expiration date. Now, this is real change.