Bush May Shut Gitmo, Give Detainees Rights

Plans are quietly circulating to grant Gitmo prisoners more rights, the New York Times reports, and perhaps shut the prison down. Unnamed officials say one scheme has Washington sending a third of prisoners home, and bringing the rest to the US, some to face trials with federal judges and lawyers. Other plans include granting them habeas corpus cases or improved military hearings.

Analysts say the move is designed to undercut a pending US Supreme Court case brought by Guantanamo detainees. It also responds to pressure from Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who has solicited Gitmo-shutting plans from advisers. Attorney General nom Michael Mukasey concurs, saying he would seek ideas “with the goal of closing it down because it’s hurting us,” adding that Gitmo has “given us a black eye.” (More Guantanamo Bay stories.)