Gitmo detainees get art, English classes

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- U.S. military officials at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison camp are programming entertainment and educational activities for the detainees, an adviser says.

Although U.S. President-elect Barack Obama has promised to empty the notorious camp of its 250 detainees accused of being "enemy combatants" with terrorism links, military officials are nevertheless planning for the long haul and will soon offer prisoners such activities as art and geology classes, The Miami Herald reported Sunday.

"We want to keep their brains stimulated. We're not here to give degrees," an Arab-American cultural adviser identified only as Zak told the newspaper. "Once they are engaged and busy, they leave the guards alone."

Among the planned diversions are hand-held Game Boy-like electronic games circulated through the cells, Egyptian newspapers and "movie nights" featuring videotaped sports and lessons in English as a second language, the Herald said.

Defense attorney Kristin Wilhelm said the moves are ironic, saying it "reflects that these individuals are humans and should be permitted to express themselves through the use of art. Too bad it took seven years."