Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class William Weinert | Gordon England (immediately left of the sign), deputy secretary of defense, is joined...... read more read more
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By Petty Officer Third Class William Weinert
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – The deputy secretary of defense paid a visit Jan. 12 to review progress of the new Expeditionary Legal Complex which will be the site of military commissions proceedings once construction is fully completed.
The Hon. Gordon England's most recent visit to Guantanamo Bay was in March, 2007, when the ELC was still in its conceptual phase. In describing the ELC, now dubbed Camp Justice, England remarked, "It went from literally a concept – looking out over an open field – to what is now a complete structure."
Once opened, the ELC will be the site of upcoming military commissions proceedings. The complex is equipped with the latest in courtroom technology and includes special holding facilities for detainees on trial.
England, while impressed with the progress of the facility, stressed the fact that just because the facility is nearly ready, it does not mean the detainee trials will be rushed.
When asked about the timing of military commission trials, England said, "We will not rush the legal process," adding that the legal requirements must be followed and, "We will have their trials at the appropriate times."
With the completion of this facility, Guantanamo moves another step toward properly assessing the guilt or innocence of detainees subject to military commissions proceedings because of alleged criminal conduct.
"What has been accomplished here in the past year has been extraordinarily important as we go forward with these commission trials, and the world sees that we do have a legal process," said England.
England stressed the importance of Guantanamo's role in the war on terrorism by asserting the legality of the Joint Task Force mission.
"People have criticized Guantanamo, but the fact of the matter is, we have been holding detainees under the Law of War, and we will prosecute them according to the Law of War," England said.
England, who has served the past two years as deputy secretary of defense, has traveled to Guantanamo Bay numerous times throughout a long career of public service. Prior to his present appointment, England served our nation twice in key senior posts as Secretary of the Navy and as deputy secretary of Homeland Security.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 01.14.2008 16:44 |
| Story ID: | 15448 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 109 |
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