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US terror policy report delayed US terror policy report delayed
(about 3 hours later)
A key report on the detention of terrorism suspects ordered by US President Barack Obama will be delayed by six months, officials have said.A key report on the detention of terrorism suspects ordered by US President Barack Obama will be delayed by six months, officials have said.
President Obama commissioned the report as part of his efforts to close the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay by the beginning of next year.President Obama commissioned the report as part of his efforts to close the US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay by the beginning of next year.
Although expected, the delay raises doubts about his ability to meet the deadline, correspondents say. Although expected, the delay could raise doubts about his ability to meet the deadline, correspondents say.
The fate of Guantanamo inmates has caused deep divisions in Washington. Administration officials say the deadline still holds.
Another report on the interrogation of suspects and their transfer to other countries would be delayed by two months, administration officials said. They said another report on the interrogation of suspects and their transfer to other countries would be delayed by two months, administration officials said.
However, a task force did send an interim report setting out legal goals for handling terrorism suspects in the future.However, a task force did send an interim report setting out legal goals for handling terrorism suspects in the future.
"Where appropriate, prosecution of those responsible must occur as soon as possible, whether in federal court or before a military commission," the memo said. "Where appropriate, prosecution of those responsible must occur as soon as possible, whether in federal court or before a military commission," the interim report said.
It also said justice could not be done unless suspects are proved guilty "in a court of law that affords them a full and fair opportunity to contest the charges against them".It also said justice could not be done unless suspects are proved guilty "in a court of law that affords them a full and fair opportunity to contest the charges against them".
The reports were ordered in the wake of President Obama's announcement that he would close the Guantanamo Bay prison by the beginning of 2010. 'Get this right'
Administration officials say that deadline still holds. The reports were ordered in the wake of President Obama's announcement that he would close the Guantanamo Bay prison by 22 January 2010.
Fewer than 20 out of about 245 inmates have been transferred from the detention centre in the six months since Mr Obama signed an order to close it within a year. Fewer than 20 out of about 245 inmates have been transferred from the detention centre in the six months since Mr Obama signed an order to close it within a year, the Associated Press news agency reports.
More than 50 inmates have been cleared for transfer overseas. Mr Obama has said others will be tried by modified military commissions or in US courts.
The administration is also open to the possibility of indefinitely holding detainees who cannot be transferred or tried, though this has not yet been applied.
In Washington lawmakers from both parties have opposed the idea of transferring detainees to US soil.
Congress has asked the administration for a detailed plan on how Guantanamo will be shut before it releases funds for its closure.
Administration officials said delays over submitting reports were granted to conduct reviews that were as comprehensive as possible and to consult thoroughly with Congress.
One unnamed official was quoted as saying the administration wanted to present a plan with "legal foundation".
"We want to get this right and not to have another multiple years of uncertainty around these issues," they said.
The Guantanamo Bay detention centre was set up in January 2002 to hold suspects deemed to be "enemy combatants".
Human rights groups and some foreign governments have long criticised the prison.