From the website of Rep. Allen West (R) FL-22
(WASHINGTON) Congressman Allen West (FL-22) released this statement today on President Barack Obama’s announcement that he will be prosecuting a Somali accused of supplying explosives and intelligence to Islamic militant groups, in a civilian court:
“This suspected terrorist, Ahmed Abdulkadir Warsame, should be tried at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, as an illegal enemy combatant, following the Geneva Convention’s clear instruction on the manner in which individuals accused of such actions against the United States are to be prosecuted. The fact that President Obama continues to ignore the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) law, and the will of the American people, when it comes to this issue is unacceptable. This suspect is accused of supplying weapons, money and training to Al qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a known enemy of the United States. We are fighting on a 21st Century Battlefield against a non-state, non-uniform belligerent enemy who has no regard for international borders or boundaries, and therefore does not deserve constitutional rights as would ordinary criminals. The laws are clear about this. Further, it is unacceptable that the Obama administration notified Congress only after it unilaterally transferred this detainee to New York City despite multiple requests for consultation.
I visited Guantanamo Bay in March, and witnessed a state of the art courtroom, built for these very kinds of cases, that continues to sit empty and unused. I want to know why this administration believes a civilian court is better suited for prosecuting enemy hostile terrorist actions, instead of a military tribunal system. Bringing Warsame to the states, giving him representation and clogging up American courts is a waste of taxpayer resources and sends a confusing message to Americans, as well as our enemies.”
Tags: Allen West, Gitmo, Somalia
