US steps back from Guantanamo suicide comments

[Eugene]

US steps back from Guantanamo suicide comments

Jun 12, 2006 — By Peter Graff

LONDON (Reuters) - A senior U.S. official rowed back on Monday from remarks by colleagues
that Guantanamo Bay prisoners' suicides were an act of war and a "good PR move," after the
comments were condemned abroad.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Detainee Affairs Cully Stimson, speaking
to BBC radio, distanced himself from the statements.

"I wouldn't characterize it as a good PR move. What I would say is that we are always concerned
when someone takes his own life. Because as Americans, we value life, even the lives of violent
terrorists who are captured waging war against our country," he said.

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The left-leaning Guardian described Admiral Harris's remarks as "cold and odious." "The demented
logic of Dr Strangelove hung like a ghost" over the U.S. response to the suicides, it said.

<snip>

Full article: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2065050