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CNN Live At Daybreak

More Afghan War Detainees Arrive at Guantanamo Bay

Aired January 17, 2002 - 05:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The arrival of 30 more Afghan war detainees to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base comes as the U.S. faces increased criticism over the treatment of detainees. But the United States is defending its treatment, going so far as to show the fresh towels available to the Gitmo guests.

CNN national correspondent Bob Franken has our story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Thirty more have come in. All together, 80 are now being held in their new outdoor prison home. They're about to be visited by representatives of the International Red Cross amid charges the United States is not treating these detainees in an altogether humane fashion. It's a sensitive subject here.

GEN. MICHAEL LEHNHERT, U.S. MARINE CORPS: These are not nice people. Several have publicly stated here their intent to kill an American before they leave Guantanamo Bay. We will not give them that satisfaction.

FRANKEN: Brig. Gen. Michael Lehnhert, who is in charge of security, told reporters the United States is being guided by the Geneva Convention rules protecting prisoners of war, but not rigidly adhering to the rules since the U.S. does not consider the captives POWs who would get certain legal protections as a result. Nevertheless, the general said the detainees, as they're called, are getting adequate treatment.

LEHNHERT: One towel is for washing and drying. The other towel is to be used as their prayer mat. They're afforded an opportunity to use it and they do use it. They get flip-flops, like is worn by most -- many people in the Caribbean. They get a jumpsuit. They don't get to pick the color.

FRANKEN: Each of the prisoners spends the day in his outdoor cell, on view at all times through the chain link fence walls, for at least the next three months, which is the target for completing a modular building elsewhere on Guantanamo. One detainee had surgery to repair a wounded arm.

(on camera): Officials will not identify any of their detainees except to say there is what they called a broad representation of countries around the world and a multiple number of languages, particularly Arabic and English.

Bob Franken, CNN, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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