President Obama shared with family members of the victims of the U.S.S. Cole bombing of 2000 and the attacks of September 11th, 2001 his plans to bring the perpetrators to justice.
While family members of 9/11 attacks met with members of the Bush Administration, this is the first time family members of the U.S.S. Cole bombings have been able to meet with a president. The majority of the 35 minute discussion centered around President Obama's plans to close the detention center at Guantanamo Bay within a year. Some of the attendees expressed support for Obama's plans while others expressed skepticism. The skepticism wasn't so much with Obama's plan to close facility, but how exactly he plans to do it in a responsible fashion that will hold those responsible accountable.
"In principle, his reason for closing it may be good," commented retired Navy Cmdr. Kirk S. Lippold. Lippold was the commander of the U.S.S. Cole when a bomb killed 17 U.S. Sailors under his command in October of 2000. "The problem I have remains that we still don't have any procedures for what will become of the terror suspects after the detention center is closed."
Also present at the meeting were the September 11th Advocates, also known as the "Jersey Girls." All four women lost their husbands in the World Trade Center and were instrumental in the creation and oversight of the 9/11 Commission. These widows have since been very critical of the 9/11 Commission's investigation and the Bush Administration. In 2007, all four of them called for an entirely new investigation into 9/11 after details of communications between Karl Rove and the 9/11 Commission Executive Director during the time of the 9/11 Commission's investigation came to light.
A statement released today by the September 11th Advocates showed support for Obama's plans and slammed the policies of the Bush administration, saying, "President Obama has paused all proceedings at Guantanamo Bay for 120 days in order for his legal team to attempt to design a system in which the verdicts will withstand the scrutiny of the inevitable appeals process. He is rightfully attempting to fix the quagmire that was created by the previous administration."
President Obama assured the family members that they will have an open line of communication with the White House.
Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/05/AR2009020502847.html
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gLy-7Qsm2KeE15rL6Is9p56BcWhwD96618180
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gLy-7Qsm2KeE15rL6Is9p56BcWhwD966BVUO0
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/more-info/story/892040.html
http://www.911truth.org/article.php?story=20090210191222126
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