We hosted a dinner for Andy Worthington, the author of “The Guantánamo Files,” a few weeks ago and something he said struck a chord with everyone in attendance. During a back and forth pertaining to the positive statements made by Senator McCain, Senator Obama and Senator Clinton vis-à-vis Guantánamo – all seem keen to close it – Andy asked us to consider the end game for the U.S. Specifically he asked what would happen to the prisoners.

Of course the first reaction of most of the individuals in attendance was predictable – these prisoners would be repatriated back to their home countries. However, as Andy prodded us to consider that assumption we all stumbled upon the problem that he was grappling with. It became clear that there would be many countries that would refuse to take back their citizens. After all, the U.S. has been stating since the first prisoner transfer to Guantánamo that it is holding the worst of the worst. With that statement on the record it seems fair to assume that some countries will choose to wash their hands of the matter. Why risk internal strife by bringing back someone who is a radical, has become radicalized or is likely to embarrass his home government by questioning why they did not do more to seek the release of an innocent national? What will the U.S. do if it ends up with a group of prisoners who have nowhere to go and are not deemed to have committed acts that warrant a trial?

The three candidates for President seem to understand that Guantánamo is a blot on the U.S. image in the world and I am convinced that all of them would like to close it. However, in an incredible irony, it seems possible that the next U.S. President may find that closing Guantánamo proves to be harder than it was for the Bush Administration to open it.

I am going to start making a few calls on this issue to see what the latest thinking is within Defense department circles and will report back in the days ahead.

Hello Andy,
Very much looking forward to your participation in the CCR sponsored panel at Columbia Law School on Monday. I am hoping that someone somehow has already brought my novel to your attention. Called “smart, macabre satire of the War on Terror” by Washington City Paper, it concerns an ordinary NYer who becomes subject to Sec 215 of the USA PATRIOT Act when her library card goes astray. In dread of detention at Guantánamo she practices home waterboarding in her bathtub to increase her odds of survival. Of course, you have not read about my book in the NY Times but perhaps your readers will be interested to learn of it. It is hilariously funny and the sort of humor that Britons will greatly enjoy. Looking forward to shaking your hand and saying hello personally.
Thank you,
Frances Madeson
Author of “Cooperative Village”
Here’s the link (looks good):
http://www.amazon.com/Cooperative-Village-Frances-Madeson/dp/0979277205