US commander denies non-Halal food given to Gitmo detainees

Says prison has a culture adviser; fish and meat used in the food is certified.

GUANTANAMO BAY: A commander at the notorious Guantanamo Bay has denied reports that non-Halal food was being provided to detainees at the prison's Camp VII.

In a roundtable discussion with journalists on Thursday, Admiral David Woods, the commander of the US Joint Task Force at Guantanamo Bay, claimed that the fish and meat used was certified.

In February, a lawyer for six detainees had complained that they were not given halal food, and that their access to newspapers was cut.

Admiral Woods said, “I can guarantee that camp conditions have not deteriorated.”

Dubbing them unfounded claims, he said detainees had not brought these issues to their attention. “We have a cultural advisor, which has been here since 2005, we have several Muslim interpreters.” He added that the fish and meat used was certified and there was no significant change in the use of products.

Citing the example of a query raised by a detainee, on whether the marshmallows used in a cereal brand were halal. The commander said they had asked the cereal manufacturers, and on ensuring that no products such as pork were used in making it, they continue to use that brand. “We are very sensitive to alcohol in mouthwash; we use alcohol-free mouthwash.”

On no access to newspapers, the commander said that the newspaper subscriptions were paid for from a fund covered by a continuing resolution. When the resolution lapsed, they were unable to use the government credit card. Woods added that the subscriptions had been renewed in December and January.

Woods also confirmed that detainees at Camps V and VII were aware of the recent incident of burning copies of Holy Quran at the Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. “There was a discussion amongst the detainees on it. There were about 20 detainees that refused a series of meals, there were a few protest signs posted and for a few days they refused to lock the outdoor recreational door.”

He added that no sit-ins and protests were held, and that the protest was peaceful, similar to that held on the 10-year anniversary of the opening of the Guantanamo Bay camps in January this year.

When asked whether the 12 detainees currently on a hunger strike were force fed, he said that the detainees get health treatment, and when their body weight reaches a certain level, the authorities decided whether feeding is required.

While declining to give details, Woods said that Majid Khan was recently transferred to an extension of Camp VII. Khan, the Pakistani detainee who on Wednesday pleaded guilty under a plea-bargain agreement, was detained at Camp VII, home to the “high-value detainees” including Khalid Sheikh Mohammad.

The commander said that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was in negotiations on allowing detainees access to family visits. “We have looked at the scope of how to pursue this in the future. It is a policy issue.” He added that the new super recreational field being built in Camp VI is an example “of trying to move forward and improving conditions of detention.” He said that the ICRC has visited the detention camps; they observed the conditions and held interviews with the detainees.

Regarding the incident of the al Qaeda magazine Inspire making it into the camps, Woods denied that it ever made it to a detainee. “We caught it before it got into the camps. We identified who had got it into the system and they were counselled not to send that in.”

The commander dubbed the magazine as a form of informational contraband, which has the potential to disrupt their operations.

Woods, who will be relinquishing his post this summer, was asked whether they were preparing detainees for rehabilitation. The Guantanamo commander responded saying that while his mission does not include the rehabilitation of detainees, it comprises of socialisation, which would allow the detainees to keep their minds active, such as attending classes, access to TV, newspapers and books.

Calling the mood of the detainees as “steady”, the Guantanamo commander said that most of those held were comfortable with the conditions. “They understand the conditions of detention, they do request things. We are progressing forward.” He also said that things were better at the camp.

Woods further said that while the detainees do challenge them on a daily basis, the protests held are “measured and peaceful” and do not incite conflict.