Guantanamo Bay (by George D'Andrea)

The United States of America is the host to millions of immigrants. Some immigrants fled their home countries to go to the USA so that they would be provided with the freedom to exercise their most basic of rights. Others went to the United States because it provided them an opportunity to succeed in areas which their home country could not. Among many other reasons, people left their countries to avoid acts of injustice and unfair persecution; it was believed that the United States was a just land that provided equality to everyone. This reputation has come under assault as of late from another colossal player in the world, the United Kingdom; however, the practices of justice on the continental United States as well as Hawaii and Alaska are not in question, but instead the acts under scrutiny are those committed on the U.S. occupied Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Although the UK, through their voice, appears to care about the Guantanamo issue, the fact that they are only using their voice proves it to be a weak attempt at trying to change the steadfast ways of a powerful country and ally such as the Untied States, while trying to maintain a good image for the United Kingdom.

As a result of the Spanish-American war, a lease over Guantanamo Bay was offered to the United States by the first president of Cuba, and American citizen, Tomás Estrada Palma. This base covers forty-five square miles of land and water and as of 2004, had a population of 9, 500. Although fully equipped with a shopping mall, McDonald's restaurant and golf course, the focus of the base is of course centered on the maximum security prison.

Of the approximately 480 prisoners being held in the controversial prison, only 10 have so far been charged with committing crimes. The rest who are being detained, with around the clock interrogation have not yet been charged with anything. To hold someone prisoner without having given them a solid reason by charging them for committing a specific crime is something that is heard occurring in judicially underdeveloped countries. Yet to hear this happening under the supervision of the United States of America, a country seen as the lighthouse for those seeking justice, is hurting not only America's image but also other countries who are close to the United States.

Early in the month of May, the United Kingdom's most senior law officer, Lord Peter Goldsmith was firm in suggesting that Guantanamo Bay be shut down. Goldsmith believed that by shutting down Guantanamo Bay, the United States would be cleansing itself of a blemish on its image. Despite the fact that it appears on the surface that Goldsmith is trying to aid the American state, the political and economic ties between the United States and the United Kingdom can not be overlooked and therefore it seems as if Goldsmith is trying to help more than just the image of the United States.

In all of the European Union, the United Kingdom attracts about 40% of American investments, which is more than the United States has in invested in all of Asia. In return, Britain is the largest investor in the United States. With these types of numbers it appears as if each country is dependent on each other in certain aspects. Although these numbers may not be known to many people around the world, it is known that Britain, despite public opposition, still remains a strong ally of the United States in the war on terror in Iraq.

It is often the numbers in Iraq through which people closely associate Britain with the United States. Although it may not look good for the people of the United Kingdom to be supporting a country in war who is unlawfully holding prisoners, to pull away from the United States would clearly hurt the United Kingdom. Therefore the United Kingdom has tackled the task of separating themselves from the United States without separating themselves at all.

Lord Peter Goldsmith has taken it upon himself to save face not for the United States of America, but for the United Kingdom and has done it in the easiest way possible. It is not a difficult thing for a person to condemn something that is unlawful, because put simply that is all Goldsmith has done: condemned. He has not acted nor threatened to act in a manner which would pressure the United States of America to close down Guantanamo. Since he insisted on the prison's closure, it does not appear as if trade or investment between the UK and the USA has dropped, nor have the UK's troops in Iraq changed their course of action.

The UK has talked and now awaits the United States to act. It appears as if the UK is doing the noble thing by demanding the closure of what has recently become known as an unlawful and unfair institution. This recent insistence on the closure of Guantanamo is a temporary solution to what Goldsmith hopes is a temporary problem, because if not, it may be necessary for the UK not only to speak, but to act in order for the United States to act in return, something which could potentially have huge consequences for their strong economic and diplomatic ties.

Sources

Berley, Max. "No closing day in sight for Guantanamo prison". The Toronto Star. May 26. 2006. pg.A7.

Carmichael, Lachlan. "Brits call for Guatanamo Bay closure". iafrica.com. May. 11. 2006. http://iafrica.com/news/worldnews/307766.htm

Glendinning, Lee. "Britain's top lawyer demands closure of Guantanamo Bay". Times Online. May. 10. 2006. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-2174520,00.html

Ralston, Jeannie. "No-Man's-Land". National Geographic. Apr. 2005. pg.122-32.

Summers, Deborah. "Close Guantanamo, Goldsmith tells US". The Herald. May. 11. 2006. http://www.theherald.co.uk/politics/61785.html

"Doing Business with the UK". UK Trade & Investment. http://www.uktradeinvestusa.com/DBUK/index.asp

"British Embassy in the USA: Consulate Websites". britain usa. http://www.britainusa.com/la/

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