Updated July 15, 2009
Relative of 9/11 Victim Frustrated by Obama Administration's Efforts to Close Gitmo
FOXNews.com
President Obama has promised relatives of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack victims that they would be part of the process of closing the Guantanamo Bay prison but some have been frustrated by the administration's effort.
President Obama's executive order to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center by January and halt military trials of terrorism suspects there has revived painful memories of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks for some relatives of the victims.
Obama has promised relatives of the victims that they would be part of the process of closing the prison. In February, he met with roughly 40 family members of the victims and said he wanted what they do: justice for their loved ones.
But some relatives have been frustrated by the administration's effort.
"I didn't go in there prepared for how frustrated I'd be afterward," said Melissa Long, referring to a meeting last month with Obama officials. "They listened, only one of them took notes and the rest of them took flak. They took a lot of heat. There was a lot of questions unanswered."
Melissa Long, who lost her boyfriend, a New York City firefighter, in the terror attack, is going to Guantanamo Bay to come face to face for the first time with the alleged Sept. 11 conspirators, whose case is before the military commission. Long secured a seat through a Defense Department lottery.
The Defense and Justice Departments are reviewing each of the 229 cases of terror suspects and foreign fighters currently at the U.S. Navy prison in Cuba.
Obama has ordered the prison closed by Jan. 22, 2010, but it's still unclear how many of the detainees will face trial, or where, and how many will be held indefinitely.
Long acknowledged the military commission are not perfect but still supports them.
"They based it on a court martial system, and if it's fair enough for our own military, why is it not fair enough for these enemy combatants," she said.
And Long fears evidence that could convict the Sept. 11 conspirators including Khalid Shiek Mohammed, the self-confessed architect, may not make it into federal court.
"What if the cases get thrown out?" Long asked. "Are we going to let them go?"
FOX News' Catherine Herridge and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Latest Politics Videos
-
-
Eventful Trip?
-
Nov 21, 2009
Did Obama make any news in Asia?
-
-
-
Bogus Numbers
-
Nov 21, 2009
Media cracks down on 'saved jobs' numbers
-
-
-
Behind the Breaks # 1
-
Nov 21, 2009
Fair and balanced fact checking?
-
-
-
Behind the Breaks # 2
-
Nov 21, 2009
Obama's bow: Much ado about nothing?
-
-
-
The Journal Editorial Report: 11/21
-
Nov 21, 2009
What role will Palin play in 2010?
-
-
-
Behind the Breaks # 3
-
Nov 21, 2009
What will make news in coming weeks?
-
Real Clear Politics Poll
| Job Approval | Approve | Disapprove | Spread |
| Obama | 50.6% | 43.4% | +7.2% |
| Congress | 27.0% | 64.3% | -37.3% |
| Direction of Country | Right Direction | Wrong Track | Spread |
| RCP Average | 38.0% | 57.2% | -19.2% |
Most Active In Politics
Most Read
Most Commented
-
House Passes Health Care Bill
November 08, 2009 1,132 comments
-
AP Turns Heads for Devoting 11 Reporters to Palin Book 'Fact Check'
November 18, 2009 855 comments
-
Health Care Bill Moves Forward
November 21, 2009 828 comments
-
Obama: 'Dont' Jump to Conclusions' on Fort Hood Shooting
November 06, 2009 615 comments
-
Comment Box: Send Us Your Findings on Health Care Reform
November 19, 2009 731 comments
-
Strains in Party Threatens Democrats
November 20, 2009
-
U.S. Enlists Allies in New Surge
November 21, 2009
-
Obama Seeks to Boost U.S. Exports
November 21, 2009
-
California's Newsom Faces Headwinds
November 20, 2009
-
White House Seeks Broad Climate Plan
November 20, 2009
-
Peter Mandelson bets on two sure-fire losers
November 21, 2009
-
Sadly, most people with a learning disability should not have children
November 21, 2009
-
Wind of deceit drives Labour’s green energy plan
November 21, 2009
-
A game of two halves: cheating and whining
November 21, 2009
-
Belle lays bare the myth that every hooker is a victim
November 21, 2009



recommend

Subscribe to Comments






