FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Contact:
Michael A Zachariades
Michael@MilitaryFamiliesUnited.org
(202) 510-5304

 

Washington, DC –Kirk S. Lippold, Former USS Cole Commander and Senior Military Fellow at Military Families United (MFU), released the following statement in response to former Yemeni GITMO detainee’s involvement in the recent airline terror attack:

“With the disclosure that two former Yemeni Guantanamo Bay detainees worked with accused terrorist Umar Farouk Abdulmatallab in an attempt to blow up an American airline, we have the clearest indication yet that the President’s continual release of Guantanamo Bay detainees presents an unacceptable risk to American lives. As a nation, we cannot rely on so-called “reform camps” in places like Saudi Arabia to prevent terrorists from striking again.

The President promised the victims of terrorism and the American people a clear strategy for how he intended to fight terrorism and deal with detainees in GITMO. Almost a year into his term, neither objective is close to being achieved. For months, Attorney General Holder has released dangerous detainees without explanation or reason. Now, with the country of Yemen in virtual upheaval and most areas considered ungovernable, the President is returning even more suspected terrorists to that country in his quest to close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility. As Americans, we must ensure this will not happen.

The President’s strategy of increasing risk to American lives as part of some indescribable national security strategy to defeat al-Qaeda must be refocused. The Administration’s position on GITMO is the centerpiece of this perilous strategy. Guantanamo Bay has proven itself to be an effective detention and intelligence facility and should remain open. The Administration should not release any more terrorists from the facility, and the President should demand the Secretary of Defense and Attorney General develop a comprehensive and effective plan to conduct detainee operations in a manner that keeps America safe.”

 

About Military Families United
Military Families United (MFU) serves as the nation’s leading military family advocacy organization, representing the interests and values of those who sacrifice for our security and our freedom: America’s troops and their families. MFU gives America’s military families a voice in the national conversation on military, national security and other public policy issues through our outreach to media, government, and the general public. We seek to communicate the truth about our brave men and women in uniform and their mission to protect our freedom.