While there’s concern in the international community for the welfare of prisoners from Afghanistan being held in Cuba, Iowa Senator Tom Harkin says he’s seen no direct evidence of mistreatment. Harkin says he hopes the U-S government allows the public to see the detainees. Harkin says the U-S wants to stand tall in the world of public opinion, and public inspection of the conditions under which the prisoners are being held would respond to the critics. The International Red Cross complained that prisoners were being photographed, which may violate certain rules for treatment of P-O-Ws. Harkin says it’d be a “terrible mark” for the U-S if the Afghans are being abused in any way. The U-S has suspended the transportation of more prisoners from Afghanistan to Guantanamo Bay, as there’s only room for 160 detainees in the cells now. They don’t want to double-up prisoners. More permanent facilities are being built.
