CNMI can host Gitmo detainees<\/p>\n
Wednesday, 28 January 2009 00:00<\/p>\n
By Emmanuel T. Erediano – Variety News Staff<\/p>\n
DUE to the bad economy, the commonwealth cannot afford to be too choosy about opportunities that knock on its door – even if it means becoming the “new Guantanamo Bay.”<\/p>\n
Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan and an Army Reservist, brought up this idea during yesterday’s discussion in the House chamber about the implementation of the federal immigration system this year.<\/p>\n
Yumul said the federal government is now considering the transfer of the “Gitmo” detainees from Cuba.<\/p>\n
“We need to encourage the military planners to consider the NMI,” he said.<\/p>\n
Some states like Pennsylvania have already expressed interest in hosting the Guantanamo Bay detainees, he added.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of terror suspects are being detained in Guantanamo, which President Obama wants to shut down.<\/p>\n
Yumul said the CNMI was on the shortlist when the military was considering places where suspected terrorists could be detained.<\/p>\n
Tinian, Yumul said, can be an ideal place since 2\/3 of its land is leased to the U.S. military.<\/p>\n
“We need to sit down as a community and look at our options,” Yumul said. “It’s something that we definitely need to consider.”<\/p>\n
Aside from the creation of jobs, new infrastructure and business opportunities, hosting the Gitmo detainees can give the CNMI people the chance “to show their patriotism.”<\/p>\n
He recalled that in the past, boat people from Vietnam who made their way to the Pacific were brought to Tinian after they were denied entry to Guam.<\/p>\n
Asked about the possible terrorist threats to the CNMI, Yumul said “the U.S. has a very high standard of maintaining security, so it will not be a problem.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
CNMI can host Gitmo detainees Wednesday, 28 January 2009 00:00 By Emmanuel T. Erediano – Variety News Staff DUE to the bad economy, the commonwealth cannot afford to be too choosy about opportunities that knock on its door – even if it means becoming the “new Guantanamo Bay.” Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan and an … <\/p>\n