Wire: Obama Executive Order to Allow Indefinite Detention of Terror Suspects

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2009 -- Newswire services this evening reported that the Obama administration, fearing a battle with Congress that could stall plans to close Guantanamo, has drafted an executive order that would reassert presidential authority to incarcerate terrorism suspects indefinitely, according to three senior government officials with knowledge of White House deliberations.

The Washington Post said such an order would embrace the position of former president George W. Bush that certain people can be detained without trial for long periods under the laws of war.

After months of internal debate over how to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, White House officials are growing increasingly worried that reaching quick agreement with Congress on a new detention system may prove impossible. Several officials said there is concern in the White House that the administration may not be able to close the facility by the president's January deadline, the Washington Post said.

White House spokesman Ben LaBolt did not directly respond to press questions about an executive order but said the administration would address the cases of Guantanamo detainees in a manner "consistent with the national security interests of the United States and the interests of justice."

This is a developing story.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source: White House Drafts Executive Order to Allow Indefinite Detention of Terror Suspects

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