Obama To Issue Executive Order Reviewing Cases Of Gitmo Prisoners

January 12, 2009 11:48 p.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Presidential transition advisers on Monday said U.S. President-elect Barack Obama will set the stage for the closure of the controversial Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba through an executive order.

The advisers, who declined to be identified, said among the first executive orders to be issued by Obama after his inauguration next week is one that will start the process of deciding what to do with the estimated 250 Guantanamo Bay prisoners suspected as terrorists and members of Al Qaeda and the Taliban as well as detained witnesses.

They said the unfinalized order will direct the review of the cases of each prisoner to determine if they will be released or remain in detention. However, the order is not clear about where to relocate detainees, many of whom have been cleared for release but have nowhere to go as their countries have rejected their repatriation.