Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has begun the campaign for June's presidential election with a defiant speech against Iran's enemies. Addressing a rally in the south of the capital, Tehran, President Ahmadinejad appealed to Iranian patriotism. He compared Iran's enemies to "dogs", saying: "If you retreat, they attack; if you attack they retreat." Mr Ahmadinejad's main opponent, Mir-Hossein Mousavi, has attacked the president's handling of the economy. Already, on the first day of campaigning, the battle lines have been clearly drawn. In contrast to President Ahmadinejad's defiant speech, Mr Mousavi used a television appearance to criticise the government for producing high inflation and high unemployment. Later on Saturday Mr Mousavi is due to speak at a major rally in Tehran's main football stadium in an attempt to inspire a revival of the fervour that swept reformists to power in 1997. The biggest challenge for those trying to unseat President Ahmadinejad is to overcome apathy and a widespread disillusionment with the political system. The lower the turnout, the more likely Mr Ahmadinejad is to remain in power. | |
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Iran's Ahmadinejad rallies supporters
AUDF eyes Assembly polls success
Guwahati, May 21: The Assam United Democratic Front today asserted it would play a critical role in the formation of the next government in the state, given its “growing” acceptability among the voters. The assertion was made by AUDF president Badruddin Ajmal a day after extending “outside support” to the UPA government at the Centre. Ajmal said that Congress leaders, Ahmed Patel and Gulam Nabi Azad, had sought the AUDF’s support to the UPA.
Though the minority party, founded in 2005, won only the Dhubri seat from among the nine it contested, Ajmal’s conviction stems from its encouraging overall show — topping 27 Assembly segments and coming second and third in around 20 other seats — in the parliamentary elections.
“We will be concentrating on these seats. We want to ensure whoever forms the government cannot ignore us. We are aiming at winning 30-35 seats in 2011,” Ajmal said, adding “if the trend holds, then the AUDF will play a crucial role in the formation of the next government”.
Moreover, chief minister Tarun Gogoi after dismissing Ajmal as nobody till recently, had admitted that the AUDF was one of the factors that adversely affected the Congress’ prospects in the polls.
Ajmal stated that despite extending “outside support” to the UPA, the party would remain “anti-Congress and anti-BJP” in the state. “There are no contradictions. We have parties like the NCP and RJD with similar strategies. The ‘outside support’ to the UPA does not mean that we will merge or ally with the Congress. It is an acknowledgement of the nationwide mandate for the Congress, for stability and against communal forces. The day we feel the UPA is not living up to our expectations, we will withdraw the support,” he said.
The AUDF supremo, accompanied by party MLA Aditya Langthasa, working president H.R.A. Choudhury and general secretary Baharul Islam, accused state minister Gautam Roy of “murdering democracy” in Karimganj. Ajmal said that Roy had “rigged” the polls “hundred per cent” and if the Election Commission does not act on its complaint within 45 days, it would move court.“We were winning and then suddenly the Congress won. How is this possible?” he asked.
Ajmal said the “outside support” was extended with an appeal to the UPA to address critical issues like flood and erosion, NRC update, influx, reservation of third and fourth grade government jobs for local candidates and early completion of the railway gauge conversion and the East West Corridor.
“We will be concentrating on these seats. We want to ensure whoever forms the government cannot ignore us. We are aiming at winning 30-35 seats in 2011,” Ajmal said, adding “if the trend holds, then the AUDF will play a crucial role in the formation of the next government”.
Moreover, chief minister Tarun Gogoi after dismissing Ajmal as nobody till recently, had admitted that the AUDF was one of the factors that adversely affected the Congress’ prospects in the polls.
Ajmal stated that despite extending “outside support” to the UPA, the party would remain “anti-Congress and anti-BJP” in the state. “There are no contradictions. We have parties like the NCP and RJD with similar strategies. The ‘outside support’ to the UPA does not mean that we will merge or ally with the Congress. It is an acknowledgement of the nationwide mandate for the Congress, for stability and against communal forces. The day we feel the UPA is not living up to our expectations, we will withdraw the support,” he said.
The AUDF supremo, accompanied by party MLA Aditya Langthasa, working president H.R.A. Choudhury and general secretary Baharul Islam, accused state minister Gautam Roy of “murdering democracy” in Karimganj. Ajmal said that Roy had “rigged” the polls “hundred per cent” and if the Election Commission does not act on its complaint within 45 days, it would move court.“We were winning and then suddenly the Congress won. How is this possible?” he asked.
Ajmal said the “outside support” was extended with an appeal to the UPA to address critical issues like flood and erosion, NRC update, influx, reservation of third and fourth grade government jobs for local candidates and early completion of the railway gauge conversion and the East West Corridor.
'Israel plotting to assassinate Nasrallah'
A senior Hezbollah official warns that an Israeli plot to assassinate the movement's leader Seyeyd Hassan Nasrallah would "set the region ablaze". In an interview with the Arab language daily Asharq al-Awsat Nawaf al-Musawi said Israel was conspiring with "many states" to assassinate Nasrallah. "A decision was taken in Israel to assassinate Nasrallah, and many states have conspired with Israel on this front", Ynet quoted Musawi as saying on Friday. He said the assassination -- if materialized -- would "cause an all-out explosion," in the region. Based on the report, Israel is planning a large-scale military drill to simulate the army's plot to kill Nasrallah. "The resistance is addressing this military maneuver responsibly and seriously," the Hezbollah official said. The exercise, code-named "Turning Point 3," will reportedly take place on June 2nd. The Hezbollah leader, however, described the drill as part of Israel's efforts to mend its image, tarnished by a humiliating defeat in the 33-day war in the summer of 2006. He also said the resistance group would stay on high alert during the military exercise which would last for five days. The Hezbollah movement, which was attacked by the Israeli army during the war, says it is not seeking to wage war in the region but maintains that it will respond to any Israeli aggression. |
Savarkar's memorial in a sorry state
PUNE: The local BJP and Shiv Sena leaders have threatened to stage an agitation over dismal state of the Veer Savarkar memorial on Karve road. Corporator Raja Balkawde, BJP city unit deputy chief Sandeep Khardekar and Shiv Sena office-bearers visited the memorial on Wednesday ahead of Savarkar's birth anniversary on May 28. Speaking to media, Khardekar said that the memorial and the Savarkar's bust were in a deplorable state since the authorities do not care enough to maintain them. "The bust has lost its colour, bushes have grown in the surrounding, the ceiling is leaking and the fountains are not working. Not just the railings and lamps, but even Savarkar's spectacles are missing from the bust. Nobody knows how much funds are actually spent on maintenance. Who is responsible for this sorry state of affairs?" Khardekar said. Similar complaint was made last year, but the PMC did not pay heed to our demands, he added. "We will start an agitation in protest against the PMC's high-handedness if required changes are not made before May 28. The PMC should maintain proper staff for cleaning the premises and appoint security personnel for the memorial," Khardekar said.
US soldier spared death penalty
A former US soldier convicted of rape and murder in Iraq has been spared the death penalty.Steven Green, 24, will now be sentenced to life in prison, after jurors in the state of Kentucky could not agree unanimously on his punishment.
A judge is expected to formally sentence Green in September.
In May, the jury found Green guilty of the rape of a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and the killing of her and her family near Baghdad in 2006.
Four other soldiers are serving sentences of between five and 110 years for their roles in the 2006 incident.
Three had admitted holding down Abeer Qassim al-Janabi, raping her and then killing her, her parents and her younger sister at the family's home in Mahmudiya before torching the building.
Mr Green was discharged from the 101st Airborne Division before the case came to light.
He was the first ex-soldier to be charged under a US law that allows prosecution for crimes committed overseas.
US 'bomb gang extremely violent'
Four men accused of plotting to bomb New York synagogues and fire missiles at aircraft have been described as "extremely violent men" by prosecutors.
Charged with weapons and conspiracy charges at their first court appearance, they were detained until 5 June for a preliminary hearing. They were arrested after planting what they allegedly thought were bombs at two synagogues. Prosecutor Eric Snyder said they were "eager to bring death to Jews".
'Best target'
James Cromitie (also known as Abdul Rahman), David Williams (aka Daoud and DL), and Onta Williams (aka Hamza) appeared together in shackles at court in White Plains, New York.
Mr Snyder said Mr Cromitie had "complained" that the "best target" - the World Trade Center destroyed on September 11, 2001 - had already been targeted.
The fourth man, Laguerre Payen (aka Amin and Almondo), appeared later in court, with a bandage on his head.
Mr Payen's lawyer Marilyn Reader said he had been injured during his arrest.
She also said he suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and could not read or write in English.
He is a Haitian citizen, and the other three are Americans.
Before the court hearing, New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, visiting one of the synagogues, said all four "wanted to commit jihad". The men had allegedly agreed to buy explosives from FBI agents posing as Islamic militants.
The four are charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the US and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles, officials said.
The charges carry jail terms of between 25 years and life imprisonment.
A senior FBI official in New York said three were US citizens and one was from Haiti.
BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson says the case appears to be a classic sting operation against suspected home-grown militants rather than a plot with any links to known international terrorism.
'No risk'
Speaking outside the Riverdale Temple, one of the intended targets, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the work of New York's police and the FBI. The alleged plot served as a reminder to New Yorkers to remain vigilant "at all times", the mayor said.
"The bottom line is that we have to be constantly vigilant and we have to constantly be sure that we have the best police department in the world, that they are well led and well trained."
Mr Kelly, the police commissioner, stressed that the arrests were the result of a lengthy operation and that despite the serious nature of the charges, no-one was ever actually put at risk.
According to prosecutors, the men planned to detonate cars packed with C-4 plastic explosives outside the Riverdale Temple and the Riverdale Jewish Center in the Bronx district of the city.
They also intended to target military planes at the New York Air National Guard base at Stewart Airport, 60 miles (85 km) north of New York City. In their efforts to obtain weapons for the attack, the men dealt with an informant from the FBI, who is said to have provided the group "with an inactive missile and inert explosives."
"This was a very tightly-controlled operation but these individuals did place bombs - or what they thought were bombs - right in front of the building in which we are standing and the temple a few blocks away," Mr Kelly said.
'Sought weapons'
Outlining the charges on Wednesday night, law enforcement officials said the group set up what they believed to be 30lbs (14kg) of explosives. According to prosecutors, Mr Cromitie told an FBI informant in June 2008 that he was angry over the US-led war in Afghanistan. He "expressed an interest in 'doing something to America"'.
From October 2008, the informant began meeting him regularly along with the four others at a house in which the FBI had concealed video and audio equipment.
The group allegedly "expressed desire" to attack targets in New York and Mr Cromitie "asked the informant to supply surface-to-air guided missiles and explosives", prosecutors say.
In April 2009, the group agreed on the synagogues they intended to attack and proceeded to conduct surveillance, including taking photographs of the warplanes at the military base, prosecutors say.
Mr Cromitie allegedly pointed out Jews in the street, saying "if he had a gun, he would shoot each one in the head", according to the district attorney's statement.
According to the statement, he told the informant that attacking the Jewish community centre would be a "piece of cake".
He also said he would be interested in joining Jaish-e-Mohammed - a Pakistan-based group considered a terrorist organisation by Washington - "to do jihad".
'Best target'
James Cromitie (also known as Abdul Rahman), David Williams (aka Daoud and DL), and Onta Williams (aka Hamza) appeared together in shackles at court in White Plains, New York.
Mr Snyder said Mr Cromitie had "complained" that the "best target" - the World Trade Center destroyed on September 11, 2001 - had already been targeted.
The fourth man, Laguerre Payen (aka Amin and Almondo), appeared later in court, with a bandage on his head.
Mr Payen's lawyer Marilyn Reader said he had been injured during his arrest.
She also said he suffered from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and could not read or write in English.
He is a Haitian citizen, and the other three are Americans.
Before the court hearing, New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, visiting one of the synagogues, said all four "wanted to commit jihad". The men had allegedly agreed to buy explosives from FBI agents posing as Islamic militants.
The four are charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the US and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles, officials said.
The charges carry jail terms of between 25 years and life imprisonment.
A senior FBI official in New York said three were US citizens and one was from Haiti.
BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson says the case appears to be a classic sting operation against suspected home-grown militants rather than a plot with any links to known international terrorism.
'No risk'
Speaking outside the Riverdale Temple, one of the intended targets, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg praised the work of New York's police and the FBI. The alleged plot served as a reminder to New Yorkers to remain vigilant "at all times", the mayor said.
"The bottom line is that we have to be constantly vigilant and we have to constantly be sure that we have the best police department in the world, that they are well led and well trained."
Mr Kelly, the police commissioner, stressed that the arrests were the result of a lengthy operation and that despite the serious nature of the charges, no-one was ever actually put at risk.
According to prosecutors, the men planned to detonate cars packed with C-4 plastic explosives outside the Riverdale Temple and the Riverdale Jewish Center in the Bronx district of the city.
They also intended to target military planes at the New York Air National Guard base at Stewart Airport, 60 miles (85 km) north of New York City. In their efforts to obtain weapons for the attack, the men dealt with an informant from the FBI, who is said to have provided the group "with an inactive missile and inert explosives."
"This was a very tightly-controlled operation but these individuals did place bombs - or what they thought were bombs - right in front of the building in which we are standing and the temple a few blocks away," Mr Kelly said.
'Sought weapons'
Outlining the charges on Wednesday night, law enforcement officials said the group set up what they believed to be 30lbs (14kg) of explosives. According to prosecutors, Mr Cromitie told an FBI informant in June 2008 that he was angry over the US-led war in Afghanistan. He "expressed an interest in 'doing something to America"'.
From October 2008, the informant began meeting him regularly along with the four others at a house in which the FBI had concealed video and audio equipment.
The group allegedly "expressed desire" to attack targets in New York and Mr Cromitie "asked the informant to supply surface-to-air guided missiles and explosives", prosecutors say.
In April 2009, the group agreed on the synagogues they intended to attack and proceeded to conduct surveillance, including taking photographs of the warplanes at the military base, prosecutors say.
Mr Cromitie allegedly pointed out Jews in the street, saying "if he had a gun, he would shoot each one in the head", according to the district attorney's statement.
According to the statement, he told the informant that attacking the Jewish community centre would be a "piece of cake".
He also said he would be interested in joining Jaish-e-Mohammed - a Pakistan-based group considered a terrorist organisation by Washington - "to do jihad".
US commander in Pakistan warning
A US troop build-up in Afghanistan could push Taliban fighters deeper into Pakistan, further destabilising it, the most senior US commander has warned.Admiral Michael Mullen, who chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was speaking at a meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in Washington.
Thousands of Pakistani troops are already battling Taliban militants in the north-west of the country. Up to two million people in the area have fled the fighting, the UN says.
On Friday, the UN launched an appeal for $543m (£343m) to ease what it said was the "incredible suffering" of the internally displaced people in Pakistan.
New strategy
In Washington, Adm Mullen told the Senate committee that the US had a clear national security interest in confronting the Taliban. "They want Afghanistan back. We can't let them or their al-Qaeda cohorts have it. We can't permit the return of the... very same safe haven from which the attacks on 9/11 were planned and resourced," he said.
But Adm Mullen agreed with one of the senators that a US offensive in southern Afghanistan could force more Taliban fighters to flee into Pakistan.
"We can't deny that our success in that regard [in Afghanistan] may only push them [militants] deeper into Pakistan," he said.
"Can I... [be] 100% certain that won't destabilise Pakistan? I don't know the answer to that," he added.
However, Adm Mullen said US and Pakistani forces were planning measures to prevent this, without giving further details.
Adm Mullen's comments come as US President Barack Obama's administration prepares to send thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan.
With plans announced for a phased pull-out of US troops from Iraq, Afghanistan was recently confirmed as the primary focus of US military operations.
Mr Obama's new strategy is expected to pair non-military methods and reconstruction with a stronger armed force on the ground.
Diabetes heart risk 'can be cut'
Tighter control of blood sugar levels in people with diabetes may cut their risk of heart problems, a study says.People with diabetes tend to have a glucose level above average despite the medication they are given.
The Cambridge University study of 33,000 people found getting it closer to the level for healthy people could cut the risk of heart attacks by 17%.
But charity Diabetes UK warns the steps the researchers recommend in the Lancet will not be appropriate for everyone.
For elderly and frail people with diabetes there is a risk that, if their blood sugar levels are brought too low, they can become dizzy and light-headed and in the worst cases fall into a coma.
The Cambridge team decided to review five of the major research projects carried out into this issue because expert opinion remained divided over the benefits to tighter sugar control.
The current guidance in the UK for the 2.5m with the disease is to keep blood sugar levels at about the 7% mark.
But the study found extra benefits for those who kept the levels closer to the 4% to 5% mark that is common for healthy people.
As well as the reduction in heart attacks, there was a 15% fall in heart disease when blood sugar levels were kept to 6.6% on average.
The Cambridge team decided to review five of the major research projects carried out into this issue because expert opinion remained divided over the benefits to tighter sugar control.
The current guidance in the UK for the 2.5m with the disease is to keep blood sugar levels at about the 7% mark.
But the study found extra benefits for those who kept the levels closer to the 4% to 5% mark that is common for healthy people.
As well as the reduction in heart attacks, there was a 15% fall in heart disease when blood sugar levels were kept to 6.6% on average.
Lifestyle changes
The researchers said the findings would mean that for every 200 people treated for five years, three lives would be saved from heart attacks.
Lead researcher Dr Kausik Ray said: "Previous studies have been inconclusive, leaving diabetics and their doctors unsure as to whether maintaining lower blood sugar levels actually benefited the patients.
"Although additional research needs to be conducted, our findings provide insight into the importance of improving glucose levels. However, this has to be done through lifestyle changes as well as medication."
But Dr Victoria King, of Diabetes UK, warned tighter sugar control would not be appropriate for everyone.
"Diabetes UK advises that people with diabetes should work towards keeping their blood glucose levels within the target ranges agreed with their healthcare team.
"This reduces the risk of long-term diabetes complications such as heart disease, kidney disease and stroke as well as short-term diabetes complications such as hypoglycaemia."
The researchers said the findings would mean that for every 200 people treated for five years, three lives would be saved from heart attacks.
Lead researcher Dr Kausik Ray said: "Previous studies have been inconclusive, leaving diabetics and their doctors unsure as to whether maintaining lower blood sugar levels actually benefited the patients.
"Although additional research needs to be conducted, our findings provide insight into the importance of improving glucose levels. However, this has to be done through lifestyle changes as well as medication."
But Dr Victoria King, of Diabetes UK, warned tighter sugar control would not be appropriate for everyone.
"Diabetes UK advises that people with diabetes should work towards keeping their blood glucose levels within the target ranges agreed with their healthcare team.
"This reduces the risk of long-term diabetes complications such as heart disease, kidney disease and stroke as well as short-term diabetes complications such as hypoglycaemia."
Obama attacks Guantanamo 'mess'
Barack Obama has defended his decision to close the Guantanamo Bay US prison camp, saying it probably "created more terrorists around the world than it ever detained"."We're cleaning up something that is quite simply a mess," the US president said in Washington on Thursday, as he attempted to broker a consensus among officials who have rejected his plans to close Guantanamo.
"As commander-in-chief, I see the intelligence, I bare the responsibility of keeping this country safe and I categorically reject the assertion that these [the camp and military tribunal system] are the most effective ways of keeping this country safe," Obama said.
The prison and the military tribunals were authorised by George Bush, his predecessor as US president, after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Obama stressed that efforts to reverse Bush-era policies such as Guantanamo had begun before he took office as president.
"In 2006, the supreme court invalidated the entire system," Obama said in his speech, delivered at the National Archives in Washington. He noted that roughly 500 detainees had already been released by the Bush administration and criticised Guantanamo and its military tribunals as endangering US citizens, saying they "alienate us in the world and serve as a recruitment tool for terrorists".
"They risk the lives of our troops ... and make it more likely our citizens will be miss-treated if captured in battle," he said.
Senate rebellion
During his campaign for the presidency, Obama pledged to close the camp, but his plans were dealt a blow on Wednesday when the senate voted to block any transfer of prisoners to facilities on the US mainland.
The senate also refused to sanction $80m sought for the shutdown of Guantanamo until Obama decides what to do with the facility's inmates.
A week earlier, the House of Representatives voted against a similar funding bill.
The senate's vote was not the final word on the matter and congress is expected to complete work on the legislation next month, giving the White House time to pursue a compromise.
But if the money is not approved soon, it could be difficult for Obama to meet his January 2010 deadline for decommissioning the prison.
The senate's rejection was particularly stinging as the senate is controlled by Obama's fellow Democrats.
During his campaign for the presidency, Obama pledged to close the camp, but his plans were dealt a blow on Wednesday when the senate voted to block any transfer of prisoners to facilities on the US mainland.
The senate also refused to sanction $80m sought for the shutdown of Guantanamo until Obama decides what to do with the facility's inmates.
A week earlier, the House of Representatives voted against a similar funding bill.
The senate's vote was not the final word on the matter and congress is expected to complete work on the legislation next month, giving the White House time to pursue a compromise.
But if the money is not approved soon, it could be difficult for Obama to meet his January 2010 deadline for decommissioning the prison.
The senate's rejection was particularly stinging as the senate is controlled by Obama's fellow Democrats.
'Partisan rancour'
Legislators rebelled largely over concerns that some of the Guantanamo inmates could be jailed, or even released, in the US and amid Republican threats to brand them as being "soft" on national security. Attempting to defuse criticism that closing Guantanamo would endanger national security, Obama said: "We will be ill-served by the fear-mongering that emerges whenever we discuss this issue."
He vowed to work with congress to develop a system for imprisoning detainees who could not be released and conceded that some would end up in US prisons, but insisted that those facilities were tough enough to house even the most dangerous inmates.
"He tried to take the sting out of the partisan rancour that we have seen in Washington over the past few weeks," Al Jazeera's Anand Naidoo, reporting from Washington, said.
"This was a speech not just about national security but also about upholding the law, a speech mainly about respecting American values," he said.
"It was also a very pointed rebuttal of the increasingly vitriolic criticism that has been levelled against him not just by the political opposition but even by his own side, the left wing of the Democratic party, against some of the policies he has adopted.
Legislators rebelled largely over concerns that some of the Guantanamo inmates could be jailed, or even released, in the US and amid Republican threats to brand them as being "soft" on national security. Attempting to defuse criticism that closing Guantanamo would endanger national security, Obama said: "We will be ill-served by the fear-mongering that emerges whenever we discuss this issue."
He vowed to work with congress to develop a system for imprisoning detainees who could not be released and conceded that some would end up in US prisons, but insisted that those facilities were tough enough to house even the most dangerous inmates.
"He tried to take the sting out of the partisan rancour that we have seen in Washington over the past few weeks," Al Jazeera's Anand Naidoo, reporting from Washington, said.
"This was a speech not just about national security but also about upholding the law, a speech mainly about respecting American values," he said.
"It was also a very pointed rebuttal of the increasingly vitriolic criticism that has been levelled against him not just by the political opposition but even by his own side, the left wing of the Democratic party, against some of the policies he has adopted.
Security fears
"Members of his [Obama's] own party don't necessarily want to take those prisoners into their states," Todd Kent, a professor of American politics at Texas A&M University, told Al Jazeera.
"So it's forced, really, his hand back to the Bush administration policies."
Kent said that while Obama remained popular with the public, the issue was playing into Republican hands.
"At least on this issue, the American public sees it as more sensible," he said.
"[Dick] Cheney [the Bush-era vice-president] has been arguing that bringing these prisoners into the US, trying them and maybe releasing them would put Americans in danger and that's an area where the Republicans - well, it's their first foothold really since Obama became president."
While most Democrats agree Guantanamo should be closed, the senate vote showed they were demanding a detailed plan before approving funds to launch the process.
In the first days of his administration, Obama won praise for banning harsh interrogation methods such as simulated drowning, known as waterboarding, and for ordering an end to secret CIA jails overseas.
But he has recently made a number of U-turns, blocking the release of photos of alleged detainee abuse and reviving the Bush-era military commissions - that he halted on becoming president - to prosecute suspects held at Guantanamo.
"Members of his [Obama's] own party don't necessarily want to take those prisoners into their states," Todd Kent, a professor of American politics at Texas A&M University, told Al Jazeera.
"So it's forced, really, his hand back to the Bush administration policies."
Kent said that while Obama remained popular with the public, the issue was playing into Republican hands.
"At least on this issue, the American public sees it as more sensible," he said.
"[Dick] Cheney [the Bush-era vice-president] has been arguing that bringing these prisoners into the US, trying them and maybe releasing them would put Americans in danger and that's an area where the Republicans - well, it's their first foothold really since Obama became president."
While most Democrats agree Guantanamo should be closed, the senate vote showed they were demanding a detailed plan before approving funds to launch the process.
In the first days of his administration, Obama won praise for banning harsh interrogation methods such as simulated drowning, known as waterboarding, and for ordering an end to secret CIA jails overseas.
But he has recently made a number of U-turns, blocking the release of photos of alleged detainee abuse and reviving the Bush-era military commissions - that he halted on becoming president - to prosecute suspects held at Guantanamo.
US soldier gets life for Iraq rape
A former US soldier convicted of raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and killing her and her family, has been jailed for life, after a jury failed to agree on a death sentence.
Steven Dale Green, 24, was convicted two weeks ago of the crimes near Baghdad, where he and his unit were serving in 2006. The jury of nine women and three men could not decide after two days of deliberations if Green should be executed or given life without parole, so the life sentence prevailed. Judge Thomas Russell of the Kentucky district court said on Thursday that he would formally sentence Green on September 4. Prosecutors said Green was the ringleader of a group of five soldiers who plotted to invade the home of the family of four to rape the girl. They said he later bragged about the crime, saying what he had done was "awesome".
Steven Dale Green, 24, was convicted two weeks ago of the crimes near Baghdad, where he and his unit were serving in 2006. The jury of nine women and three men could not decide after two days of deliberations if Green should be executed or given life without parole, so the life sentence prevailed. Judge Thomas Russell of the Kentucky district court said on Thursday that he would formally sentence Green on September 4. Prosecutors said Green was the ringleader of a group of five soldiers who plotted to invade the home of the family of four to rape the girl. They said he later bragged about the crime, saying what he had done was "awesome".
'Trigger-happy'
Green, 19 at the time of the crime, was described as the trigger-man in the group who donned black "ninja" outfits and raped Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi and shot her, her father, mother and six-year-old sister. The soldiers later set fire to the girl's body to try to cover up the crime.
The rape-murders took place after the soldiers drank whiskey, played cards, and plotted the attack in Mahmudiya, 30km south of the Iraqi capital, the court heard.
Three of the four other soldiers pleaded guilty in the attack and the fourth was convicted, all in military courts martial. They were sentenced to between five and 100 years, but could be paroled much sooner. Green was tried in federal court as a civilian on murder, rape and obstruction of justice charges because his arrest came after he was discharged from the army for a "personality disorder". The defence team acknowledged that he took part in the killings but argued that he should be spared the death penalty. Defence During the trial Green was depicted as a victim of a bad childhood and combat stress after the death of close colleagues in the combat zone south of Baghdad. "Steven Green was responsible [for the rape and murders] but the United States of America failed Steven Green," Scott Wendelsdorf, a defence lawyer, told the jury in his final submission. "And it failed a lot of soldiers in Iraq. And that wouldn't amount to a hill of beans if it were not the United States of America now seeking to put Steven Green to death." As representatives of the Iraqi family openly wept in court, Green smiled slightly when the jury gave its decision. His father, John Green, said the result was "the better of two bad choices, but the better one by far". The ex-soldier's brother, Doug, added that "it's the only appropriate verdict" given the choices. "I have mixed emotions about it, but I do think it will allow him to have some semblance of a life and I'm very grateful for that.
Green, 19 at the time of the crime, was described as the trigger-man in the group who donned black "ninja" outfits and raped Abeer Qassim Hamza al-Janabi and shot her, her father, mother and six-year-old sister. The soldiers later set fire to the girl's body to try to cover up the crime.
The rape-murders took place after the soldiers drank whiskey, played cards, and plotted the attack in Mahmudiya, 30km south of the Iraqi capital, the court heard.
Three of the four other soldiers pleaded guilty in the attack and the fourth was convicted, all in military courts martial. They were sentenced to between five and 100 years, but could be paroled much sooner. Green was tried in federal court as a civilian on murder, rape and obstruction of justice charges because his arrest came after he was discharged from the army for a "personality disorder". The defence team acknowledged that he took part in the killings but argued that he should be spared the death penalty. Defence During the trial Green was depicted as a victim of a bad childhood and combat stress after the death of close colleagues in the combat zone south of Baghdad. "Steven Green was responsible [for the rape and murders] but the United States of America failed Steven Green," Scott Wendelsdorf, a defence lawyer, told the jury in his final submission. "And it failed a lot of soldiers in Iraq. And that wouldn't amount to a hill of beans if it were not the United States of America now seeking to put Steven Green to death." As representatives of the Iraqi family openly wept in court, Green smiled slightly when the jury gave its decision. His father, John Green, said the result was "the better of two bad choices, but the better one by far". The ex-soldier's brother, Doug, added that "it's the only appropriate verdict" given the choices. "I have mixed emotions about it, but I do think it will allow him to have some semblance of a life and I'm very grateful for that.
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