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Obama criticizes some Guantanamo release decisions

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-03-22 08:35

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama says the US hasn't done a good job sorting out who should be released from the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

In this photo reviewed by the US Military, a guard works at Guantanamo's Camp 6 detention center at the US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, January 21, 2009. [Agencies]

Obama says in a broadcast interview that some of the people released from the facility in Cuba have rejoined terrorist groups. He also says US officials have not always been effective in determining which prisoners will be a danger once they are let go.

Related readings:  Guantanamo detainees say they planned 9/11: report  UK lawyer: Guantanamo inmate release due Monday

But he says the Bush administration's policy of holding detainees for years on end with no trials is "unsustainable,' and has only fueled anti-American sentiments.

In a taped interview with CBS' "60 Minutes," he also disputes former Vice President Dick Cheney's claim that plans to close Guantanamo will make America less safe.

CBS released excerpts Saturday from the interview. The show will air Sunday evening.