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| Guantanamo detainee move blocked | Guantanamo detainee move blocked |
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| The US Senate has overwhelmingly rejected plans to transfer detainees out of Guantanamo Bay, and refused funding to close down the prison camp. | The US Senate has overwhelmingly rejected plans to transfer detainees out of Guantanamo Bay, and refused funding to close down the prison camp. |
| Senators voted by 90-6 to block the transfer of 240 inmates, also stalling a request for $80m (£51m). | Senators voted by 90-6 to block the transfer of 240 inmates, also stalling a request for $80m (£51m). |
| Correspondents say it is a rebuke to President Barack Obama's plans to close down the camp by January 2010. | Correspondents say it is a rebuke to President Barack Obama's plans to close down the camp by January 2010. |
| Meanwhile, FBI Director Robert Mueller told Congress detainees could support terror in the US if allowed to go free. | Meanwhile, FBI Director Robert Mueller told Congress detainees could support terror in the US if allowed to go free. |
| "The concerns we have about individuals who may support terrorism being in the United States run from concerns about providing financing to terrorists, [and] radicalising others," Mr Mueller told a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee. | "The concerns we have about individuals who may support terrorism being in the United States run from concerns about providing financing to terrorists, [and] radicalising others," Mr Mueller told a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee. |
| Separately, a federal judge said the US can continue to hold some prisoners at Guantanamo indefinitely without any charges.. | Separately, a federal judge said the US can continue to hold some prisoners at Guantanamo indefinitely without any charges.. |
| Constituency concern | Constituency concern |
| The Senate decision to block a war funding bill meant for the camp followed a similar decision by the House of Representatives. | The Senate decision to block a war funding bill meant for the camp followed a similar decision by the House of Representatives. |
| Democrats and Republicans each argue that there needs to be a better plan for closing Guantanamo, situated on US territory on the island of Cuba. | Democrats and Republicans each argue that there needs to be a better plan for closing Guantanamo, situated on US territory on the island of Cuba. |
| The American people don't want these men walking the streets of America's neighbourhoods John ThuneRepublican senator href="/1/hi/world/americas/8060069.stm">Suspects 'can be detained' class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7846203.stm">What next for inmates? | |
| The detention centre, established by former President George W Bush after the 9/11 attacks, still holds 240 terrorist suspects. | The detention centre, established by former President George W Bush after the 9/11 attacks, still holds 240 terrorist suspects. |
| President Barack Obama has said he wants the camp closed by January 2010 and administration officials insist that deadline will be met. | President Barack Obama has said he wants the camp closed by January 2010 and administration officials insist that deadline will be met. |
| But many legislators say they need further convincing of White House plans to move many of the detainees onto the US mainland. | But many legislators say they need further convincing of White House plans to move many of the detainees onto the US mainland. |
| "The American people don't want these men walking the streets of America's neighbourhoods," Republican Senator John Thune said. | "The American people don't want these men walking the streets of America's neighbourhoods," Republican Senator John Thune said. |
| "The American people don't want these detainees held at a military base or federal prison in their backyard, either." | "The American people don't want these detainees held at a military base or federal prison in their backyard, either." |
| The Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, said the White House needed a credible plan for how to close the base. | The Republican leader in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, said the White House needed a credible plan for how to close the base. |
| "Once it has one, we'll consider closing Guantanamo, but not a second sooner," he said. | "Once it has one, we'll consider closing Guantanamo, but not a second sooner," he said. |
| Democratic leaders say they will reconsider providing the requested funds, once the White House has drawn up more detailed plans. | Democratic leaders say they will reconsider providing the requested funds, once the White House has drawn up more detailed plans. |
| Most Democrats support his commitment to close Guantanamo Bay, but realise that agreeing to fund an ill-prepared process would provide fodder for the Republican opposition, says the BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington. | Most Democrats support his commitment to close Guantanamo Bay, but realise that agreeing to fund an ill-prepared process would provide fodder for the Republican opposition, says the BBC's James Coomarasamy in Washington. |
| The new setback follows Mr Obama's decision to revive the military tribunal system for some Guantanamo detainees. | The new setback follows Mr Obama's decision to revive the military tribunal system for some Guantanamo detainees. |
| In one of his first acts on taking office, he Obama halted the Bush-era military commissions, saying the US was entering a new era of respecting human rights. | In one of his first acts on taking office, he Obama halted the Bush-era military commissions, saying the US was entering a new era of respecting human rights. |
| Introducing new safeguards for detainees, he said he had supported their use as one avenue to try detainees, and in 2006 had voted in favour of them. | Introducing new safeguards for detainees, he said he had supported their use as one avenue to try detainees, and in 2006 had voted in favour of them. |
| Under extra safeguards for detainees, there will be: | Under extra safeguards for detainees, there will be: |
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