WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) -- U.S. President Obama said Friday he will keep military commission trials for terror suspects with changes to provide legal safeguards for defendants.
Obama said, in a statement, the changes include not admitting statements "obtained from detainees using cruel, inhuman and degrading interrogation methods," limiting the use of hearsay evidence and giving the accused greater latitude in selecting counsel.
The changes also provide basic protections for defendants who refuse to testify and will allow military commission judges to set the jurisdiction of their own courts.
"These reforms will begin to restore the commissions as a legitimate forum for prosecution, while bringing them in line with the rule of law," Obama said. "In addition, we will work with the Congress on additional reforms that will permit commissions to prosecute terrorists effectively and be an avenue, along with federal prosecutions in Article III (federal) courts, for administering justice. This is the best way to protect our country, while upholding our deeply held values."
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the administration is conducting discussions with several congressional members "about what additional changes might be sought through a legislative vehicle."
Obama said he voted for using military commissions in 2006, but objected to the Military Commissions Act because "it failed to establish a legitimate legal framework and undermined our capability to ensure swift and certain justice against those detainees that we were holding at the time."
Asked whether the administration was concerned about alienating liberal groups by the decision, Gibbs said the changes "will ensure protections (that are) necessary so (the trials) can reach certain justice while adhering to our values."
Obama said the Pentagon will seek continuances in several pending military commission proceedings "to allow us time to reform the military commission process."
