War isn’t about fair play
Re “Obama sets new rules in war on terror,” Jan. 23
President Obama’s move to claim what he calls “the moral high ground” in the war on terrorism raises the question: How does this make America safer?
After the events of 9/11, there isn’t much high ground of any kind, moral or otherwise.
Obama’s righteous sense of fair play might get him a warm round of applause at the next ACLU luncheon. However, this is not a boxing match. We cannot expect to win a contest in which we unilaterally agree to fight fairly against an opponent who claws, scratches, gouges and hits below the belt. This is war, and all is not fair.
I don’t want to see America lose a city someday and hear a president tell us we can hold our heads high because we adhered to the highest moral principles and, to our peril, played by the rules in a world in which there are none.
David Stoughton
Santa Monica
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While people everywhere are celebrating Obama’s promises to close Guantanamo and end torture, The Times is right to highlight the questions his executive orders leave unanswered.
As to where to send detainees who are judged safe for release, part of the answer lies across the Atlantic. Five human rights groups, including Amnesty International, are asking European governments to offer detainees protection from torture and resettlement in their countries. Seven countries so far have agreed to help.
But if the United States wants a favor in cleaning up its own mess, it must ask nicely. That means resettling some detainees on U.S. soil. As Congress examines the resettlement here of cleared detainees, it must factor in how its decision will affect the support of allies in shuttering Guantanamo.
The United States will need the help of European governments to keep its promise while ensuring no freed detainee is at risk of torture. Otherwise, the demise of Guantanamo will be as dirty as its creation.
Geneve Mantri
Washington
The writer is advocacy director for terrorism, counter-terrorism and human rights for Amnesty International USA.
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