END OF GUANTANAMO ERA

Obama details plan to close Gitmo detention facility, including finding location in US to house detainees

President Obama detailed Tuesday a four-point plan he'll submit to Congress to eventually close the detention facility at Guantanamo, Cuba -- a plan that includes releasing more of the remaining 91 detainees, while transferring others to an as-yet determined facility on U.S. soil.

Much of the president's plan, which represents a final effort to fulfill his 2008 campaign pledge to close the detention center, still must be approved by Congress, and includes:

-- The “careful” transfer of 35 detainees to overseas countries;

-- Accelerating the review process for the roughly 56 remaining detainees to see whether they’re eligible for transfer;

-- Using “all of the legal tools” available to resolve the cases of detainees in the commission process; and,

-- Work with Congress to select a secure transfer location on U.S. soil.

“We can improve our security, uphold our highest values around the world and save Americans money in the process,” Obama said in introductory remarks meant to frame the four key points.

The Guantanamo facility, on the U.S. Naval base in Cuba, was opened in January 2002 in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks to house captured terror suspects.

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