Guantanamo Bay to play significant role in Haiti crisis

The controversial Guantanamo Bay prison, which houses terrorists from various parts of the world, could play a key role in relief efforts in Haiti, where tens of thousands of people were killed following a calamitous quake.

The Guantanamo detention centre has a major medical facility and a large airstrip both of which could be used in the coming days, State Department spokesman P J Crowley said. The major hospitals in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince have been damaged and the airport is being run by the US army on an emergency basis. "That (Guantanamo) remains a valuable outlet. I think as far as I know, we've taken seven (people) out so far, plus the Spanish ambassador (to Haiti). But we do have a major medical facility at Guantanamo. We have a runway and large ramp space. So as we go through this, you know, Guantanamo will play a significant role," Crowley, told reporters.

Rear Admiral Steve Branham and Commander US Coast Guard said they have moved nine people to hospital services in Guantanamo Bay. "We're really looking to support the efforts of the international community, the United Nations, USAID, all the organisations, who are coming in to provide the kinds of capability that you're doing," Commander US Southern Command General Douglas Fraser said when asked if Guantanamo could be used as a temporary shelter facility.

Roberta Jacobson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, said the US has evacuated a small number of seriously injured government personnel from Haiti to medical centre in Guantanamo Bay. "We expect that there will be some additional personnel, probably private US citizens, who will be evacuated as well," she said.