Guantanamo is expensive and inefficient: Obama

May 01, 2013 01:12

Asserting his commitment to close the terrorist detention center in Guantanamo, US President Barack Obama today said that the prison is a no-man's land that is not only "expensive" and "inefficient" but also hurts America in terms of its international standing.

"I continue to believe that we've got to close Guantanamo. I think it is critical for us to understand that Guantanamo is not necessary to keep America safe. It is expensive. It is inefficient. It hurts us in terms of our international standing," Obama said. "It lessens cooperation with our allies on counter- terrorism efforts. It is a recruitment tool for extremists. It needs to be closed," he said.

Responding to questions at a crowded press conference, Obama blamed the Congress for not letting him close Guantanamo.

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