Headlines 20 November 2015

Portman among senators sending letters regarding release of Shaker Aamer from Guantanamo Bay

By
Press Release-

On Friday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), a member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, joined a group of senators in sending letters to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. expressing concern over the Obama Administration’s recent release of Shaker Aamer from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.

The letter was led by U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).
 
The letters note that the notification of transfer for Mr. Aaemer did not list the Joint Chiefs of Staff as one of the entities “concurring” and “approving” of the transfer, as is normally the case. This appears to indicate that the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the President's principle military advisor, did not agree with the decision to transfer ‎Shaker Aamer.

The letters go on to request Secretary Carter and General Dunford answers to questions about this transfer to the Senate and House Armed Services, Intelligence, Foreign Relations, Homeland Security and Appropriations Committees. 
 

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The questions to Secretary Carter are:

1. What were the key factors that led the Joint Chiefs not to concur on your decision to transfer Shaker Aamer?

2. Were the Joint Chiefs concerned that his release could put at risk the lives of U.S. service members?

3. Do you plan to continue seeking the advice of the Joint Chiefs on future transfers?

4. Did you review the Shaker Aamer press release prior to publication? If so, why did you publicly claim the Guantanamo Review Task Force unanimously supported Aamer’s transfer when it does not appear the Joint Chiefs supported that transfer decision?
 
The questions to General Dunford are: 

1. What were the key factors that led the Joint Chiefs to not to concur on the decision to transfer Shaker Aamer?

2. Did the Secretary of Defense notify your office that it would continue with the transfer despite your office’s non-concurrence?

3. Is it your understanding that the Secretary will seek your concurrence and approval on your future transfers?
 

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