12 March 2009

Statement on Appointment of Ambassador for Guantánamo Work

Ambassador Fried to facilitate transfer of detainees from detention camp

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
March 12, 2009

STATEMENT BY ROBERT A. WOOD, ACTING SPOKESMAN

Appointment of Ambassador Daniel Fried

In order to carry out President Obama’s commitment to close the detention facility at Guantánamo within one year, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has determined we need to intensify our efforts to facilitate the transfer of detainees.  Secretary Clinton therefore has asked Ambassador Daniel Fried, a seasoned diplomat with a strong record of accomplishment, to lead a dedicated team to address this issue full-time.  Ambassador Fried’s extensive experience will be an invaluable asset as we seek the assistance of foreign governments in moving toward closure of the detention facility.

Over the last several years, the task of negotiating transfers of detainees from Guantánamo has fallen to the Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues and his staff, whose primary function historically has been war crimes matters — a full-time job.  This shift provides the benefit of also ensuring that the Ambassador at Large and his team can devote their full attention to war crime matters, which are of critical importance to this Administration.

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