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Following his one-day visit May 3 to the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba, U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) today reported that the detainees being held there are being treated appropriately. Coble, chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, led a congressional delegation visit to inspect the prisoners’ living conditions following their capture in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Joining Rep. Coble on the tour of Guantanamo were U.S. Reps. Melissa Hart (R-PA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). The group was given a thorough briefing on the issues surrounding the retention of approximately 600 prisoners in Cuba. Congressman Coble, responding to some international criticism of the treatment being afforded those being held in Cuba, thought it was important to get a first-hand look at the situation.

“The members of Congress and staff had the opportunity to see for ourselves what the current situation is at Guantanamo,” Chairman Coble said, “and following our visit, I am confident that the prisoners are being treated fairly in accordance with the principles of the Geneva Convention – even though they are not officially listed as prisoners of war. Our Joint Task Force at Guantanamo is doing a fine job of housing and caring for the detainees. They are even making sure that the prisoners are allowed to follow their Muslim religious beliefs. We observed arrows painted on the floor pointing towards Mecca and prayer rugs and Korans were available for the detainees’ daily prayers. While their living conditions were spartan, they were clean and appropriate for the situation.”

While he was not at liberty to discuss the costs, Rep. Coble is concerned that the long-term financial burden will be substantial. “As long as the war on terrorism is ongoing in Afghanistan, there may be a need to keep these detainees at Guantanamo. Those costs could be substantial, but a necessary part of our war against international terrorism.”

Congressman Coble said they also inspected a building that could possibly be the site for commission hearings on the future of the detainees at Guantanamo. “Representatives Hart, Schiff and I appreciated the chance to see the situation at Guantanamo,” Coble concluded. “We will report our findings to the chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary committee to discuss what future role our panel will have in overseeing the detainees at Guantanamo.”

Rep. Coble was able to meet with some North Carolinians while at the naval base – including a constituent. Navy Officer Commander Steve Jones of Summerfield, North Carolina, is assigned to the Joint Task Force and he greeted his congressman upon Coble’s arrival at Guantanamo. Rep. Coble also met with U.S. Coast Guardsman GM3 David Johnson of Durham, North Carolina, during his visit to Cuba.

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