GUANTANAMO BAY
During my recent visit to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to observe the detainees from the war on terrorism, I came face-to-face with good and evil. In the terrorists, I saw the greatest wickedness that this world has to offer. But in their guards I saw commitment, bravery and triumph.
For nearly 100 years, the United States has operated a 45 square-mile military base at Guantanamo Bay. I was invited to travel with Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, and leaders of the Senate Defense and Military Construction Subcommittees. Our mission was to observe Camp X-Ray, the holding camp for terrorist detainees, and assess future needs our military may have to support the continued detainment.
I wanted to visit our troops and observe the challenges of their mission first-hand. We have never dealt with such an enemy. We have never fought such a war. Our troops are forging new territory daily and they are doing an incredible job in the face of uncertainty.
Unfortunately, support for their hard work has been minimized by questions raised over the treatment of the terrorists at Camp X-Ray. All the senators there, Republicans and Democrats, agreed that they are being treated with decency and humanity – far more than they have demonstrated in return. The detainees are in clean facilities with access to excellent medical care – the same care given to our U.S. soldiers at the base. We have also made efforts to respect their religious beliefs by providing culturally appropriate foods and an Islamic cleric to facilitate their calls to prayer. This fair, just and humane treatment does not mean we have forgotten the treacherous nature of these men; we are just acting as a civilized nation should.
On September 11 these terrorist demonstrated an absolute lack of respect for human life. They have proven to the world that they are violent, vicious and dangerous. They continue to pose an enormous threat to our soldiers, even under the strictest of security. They are willing to kill themselves to destroy Americans and the liberty and freedom that we represent.
Let me also point out that these detainees are not prisoners of war. They are illegal combatants who do not meet the basic prisoner of war standards laid out in the Geneva Convention. This is an unconventional war against an unlawful enemy – they have no military uniforms or background. These men hide in caves, hide their weapons among innocent women and children and act with utter contempt for the laws of war. We must retain the ability to interrogate, detain and prosecute them for the vicious acts that they have committed, and to obtain information that will foil future attacks.
More than 300 Texas soldiers stationed at Fort Hood have been sent to Guantanamo Bay. The security of those soldiers is one of my top priorities. I was asked to participate in this trip because I am the ranking member on the Military Construction Subcommittee, and I will be asked to approve funding for expenditures at Guantanamo Bay. Tightening security on the island is of utmost importance. Our troops are operating in a highly volatile situation. They are in an ongoing state of alert and faced with an uncertain and vicious enemy. We need to secure the base, police the detainees and protect our troops. I will do everything in my power to make sure this happens.
In the face of an uncertain enemy, our resolve remains certain. We will root out terrorism, preserve freedom and emerge victorious.
February 6, 2002