U.S. Weighs Guantanamo Transformation

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — America is considering transforming the Guantanamo Bay terrorism prison into a base for a Marines “rapid reaction force” to deal with threats in Central America.In the first official admission that closure of the camp had entered the planning stage, the base commander, Captain Mark Leary, said regional U.S. Marines commanders have surveyed the site to assess its suitability.“The southern command has looked into the possibility of the station bringing in a marine forward deployment,” he said.“It assumes that there is a lot in Guantanamo base that would allow a marine expeditionary presence to support training and other tasks. There have been discussions on future missions.”Captain Leary said strategic planners had identified a need for a marine base to be ready to intervene in the troubled Caribbean and Central American region. That could mean up to 3,500 marines would take up occupancy of the sprawling Camps Delta and Echo after the last detainee leaves.The plans come amid increased speculation about the base’s future. Last week it emerged that the Bush administration was preparing to empty Guantanamo of its 235 inmates, possibly transferring them to American mainland.While no specific threat has been identified by the Pentagon, tensions have risen between America and President Chavez of Venezuela, who has sought ties with Iran and is accused of supporting Farc leftist terrorists in Colombia.America has a long history of intervention in the region, including invasions of Panama and Grenada, and covert operations across Central America.Captain Leary said that, alternatively, the facility could be mothballed or knocked down but it was clear that a new role would be a “better option.”Navy personnel and their dependents make up the majority of the 7,300 people based at the site. Without a marine contingent, its most important function would be as a listening station on communist Cuba.

U.S. Weighs Guantanamo Transformation

U.S. Weighs Guantanamo Transformation

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