Giving Guantanamo back to Cuba - Case Study Example

? Giving Guantanamo back to Cuba Introduction The United s has overtime appealed to the world as being a champion of human rights. This has come up because of the manner in which we have encouraged the world at large to respect human principles. The fact that the United-States has always adhered to the rules of international law and acted as the foundation on which moral authority rests has also been a contributing factor. The world has however begun to doubt our assertion as the champions of human rights due to our recent activities at the Guantanamo bay detention camp in Cuba. Though it is debatable, I am of the opinion that at some point we might have lost our goodwill. I have no doubt that the United States is after the well-being of humans worldwide, but that does not mean we ought to let our feet of the gas and take for granted the happenings at Guantanamo bay. I say so because for over a decade we have allowed our government to use duress in Guantanamo bay detention camp. For the first time in several, we have maintained hard line stands and consigned human dignity to oblivion. In my opinion, I think the key players who take part in the process of national decision-making have backed the wrong horse. This is because they have overtime watched with crossed hands the dismal conditions under which those who stay at the Guantanamo bay detention camp put up with on a daily basis. In handling this project description, I am going to assume the role of the Secretary of State and shed light on how I can address the issues raised by Jonathan M. Hansen in his article titled Give Guantanamo Back to Cuba. I am going to evaluate the best possible action mechanisms we can employ to put the issue to rest. At the same time, I am going to discuss the relationship between the courses of action with the aim of preserving our national interests. Supplementary to the above mentioned, I am going to take account of the possibility of handing over the leadership of Guantanamo bay Island to Cuba and weigh the consequences of such an action. Since its creation by the Congress in 1789, the State Department under the watchful eye of the Secretary of State has risen to become one of the most looked upon offices not only in the United-States but worldwide. As the Secretary of State, I would put into use my duty as the President’s prime advisor on US foreign policy and recommend the end to American rule at the Cuban based Guantanamo bay detention camp. I am convinced by far, that the closure of the Guantanamo bay detention camp shall enable the US to be the custodian of two of its most important national interests: values and international organization. I say so because those suspects detained at the camp are subjected to undignified treatment. For starters, those detained at the facility are still innocent and the prosecutors are still in the process of proving that they are responsible for the various crime charges they are facing (Air University, 2012). If recent statistics collected from the facility are anything to go by, then the fact that only one out of 172 detainees is put to trial is even more worrying. I would ensure the enactment of laws that leave the military, which is our main instrument of power at the facility with no choice but to ensure that they treat the suspects with honor and decency. I would bring to an end the physical abuse that the suspects always go through. This is achievable by penalizing heavily those military officers who harm the captives (Air University, 2013). During the transition process, I would recommend information as an instrument of power. Information shall come out through proper guidance and counseling of the captives. Guidance and counseling is imperative because it enables the captives to know that there is hope amidst all the tribulations they face. Another reason as to why information as an instrument of power should be employed during transition is because, of the causes of death at the facility. Recent studies taken from the Guantanamo bay detention camp reveal that suicide ranks as the second cause of death after homicide. It is therefore of importance to put guidance and counseling into use (Air University, 2013). This shall contribute towards shaping the mental state of the prisoners especially because we keep most of them in seclusion. In case we take into account the measures above, then the US shall be able to walk the talk by practicing good values. The overall effect is that the captives shall feel more appreciated. In addition, I would encourage the transition authority to put up a comprehensive legal system. This shall speed up the rate of putting the suspects to trial. The overall outcome of that will be that we convict those found at fault as deemed wise. At the same time, those who shall have proved their innocence shall be set free to resume their ways of life and thereby bring the best out of themselves (Air University, 2013). As the Secretary of State, I would use my position as the chief negotiator and interpreter of foreign treaties to get rid of the treaties that made our nation commence its activities in Guantanamo bay. The trip I took along memory lane made me realize that Gen. Leonard Wood upon being appointed as the military governor of Cuba by the then US president William McKinley made our country party to all the activities that go on in Cuba. Our activities in Cuba kicked off after the introduction of the Platt Amendment. The amendment proposed by the then military governor to Cuba worked to the favor of both Cuba and US. A section of the Amendments, which proposed that the United-States had the right to take a hand in Cuban affairs at will jumped us off (Bacevich, 2012). If I employ diplomacy as the instrument of power and negotiate our way out of the treaty with the Cuban authorities, as well as the other world governing bodies, then we shall be well on our way to preserving our national interests. The first national interest that we shall be upholding is international Organization. I say so because our de-linking from Cuba shall enable them become their own decision makers. Though the US has played an impeccable role in nurturing the leadership of Cuba and the world at large, I am of the opinion that de-linking ourselves from Guantanamo bay detention camp shall present Cuba with the perfect opportunity to practice fully the concept of internal self-governance. This does not mean that we shall not be able to help them out, but our nation shall provide Cuba with guidance on how to handle any issues that may come up (Air University, 2013). In like manner, such a situation shall provide us with the opportunity to uphold further the security situation, an area where the United States holds closer to its heart. I will fully carry out my duty as the supervisor of all the foreign services of the United States. By doing this, I will give a shot in the arm to our military personnel to focus on providing the residents of the Guantanamo bay detention facility and Cuba at large with the required level of security. In my position as the Secretary of State, I would enlighten the American citizens and other interested parties across the world of the political, economic, social, cultural and human conditions in Guantanamo bay (Bacevich, 2012). By doing this, our entire nation shall be making strides towards the preserving prosperity, which is one of our national interests. We will be safeguarding prosperity when most of our citizens come out and invest in the said region. By investing in the said region, Cuba shall be making advancements towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Further, I live with the hope that America being the guardian angel that it has always been shall encourage some of their professionally trained experts in various fields, to assist in the improvement of various fields in Guantanamo bay. I will encourage our trained health personnel to improve level of health services provided at the said region (Air University, 2012). In addition, I shall encourage our experts in various fields to put their best foot forward and ensure that Guantanamo bay fully exploits its potential and realize the dream of its ancestors just as our beloved United States of America realized the dreams of our ancestors (Air University, 2013). If I succeed in pulling all the strings together and manage to bring the best out of Guantanamo bay, we shall have put to adequate use both our economic and diplomatic instruments of power. The economic aspect comes in when our people shall have invested in Guantanamo bay. On the other hand, diplomacy shall come out when we manage to send our proficient personnel to exploit fully the potential of Guantanamo bay and Cuba at large (Bacevich, 2012). I am of the opinion that if through our collective responsibility we manage to help Guantanamo bay stand on its feet, and then we shall manage to save a massive amount of money. The savings will result from the fact that our taxpayers will no longer be contributing towards running Guantanamo bay. Or rather, we shall channel the amount of money we use to maintain our forces in Guantanamo bay towards its improvement. In my capacity as the Secretary of State, I will put in place measures that ensure that our national interests, citizens and all the properties of America and its citizens in Guantanamo bay detention camp are given due protection ( Air University, 2012). Overtime the United States has played a significant role in the achievement of success worldwide. Our joy, which is to see other nations thrive, has played a huge role in setting this fulfillment into motion. In case we close Guantanamo bay detention camp and hand it over to Cuba, I would agitate for relationships that benefit our nation, Cuba and other interested countries. To achieve this dream I shall consider involving other development partners who are responsive and share with us the same dream of making Guantanamo bay a better place in the world. In order to bring this dream to reality, I shall fully exploit our diplomatic ties with other nations. Encourage them that to actualize and bring about the changes we both desire, we need to join hands and read from the same page (Bacevich, 2012). This is because teamwork is instrumental in our attempt to accomplish the goals mentioned above. I am a firm believer in communication. I regard it as the greatest wealth one can ever have. With this in mind, I shall put in good words for Guantanamo bay thereby putting into use information as our instrument of power. In my capacity as the Secretary of state of the United States, I believe those world leaders and other organizations can grant me audience. I would take advantage of that and ensure that Guantanamo bay and Cuba realize everything within their realm of possibility (Bacevich, 2012). Once we realize this, the United States shall be satisfied at the fact that we shall have upheld our national interests, as the world will not count Cuba as a failed state. The citizens of Cuba and specifically Guantanamo bay shall marvel at the prosperity that shall have befallen them. In fact, the world shall recognize the international order within Cuba and its surroundings. Am certain that with the orderliness, security in Cuba will bolster up. The fact that Cubans will be living a normal life similar to the one experienced by residents of other countries shall give us a peace of mind because, being our brother’s keeper is a custom we always live up to ( Air University, 2013). In my capacity as the Secretary of State, I would issue passports to all Cubans who are intent on coming to the United States with goodwill. Some may refute this, but I say it by virtue of the fact that we are the epitome of most of the happenings in various countries across the world. By issuing the passports, I will be allowing the Cubans to learn from us (Bacevich, 2012). When we train their kids for example, they will learn to view things differently. Owing to that, they shall be able to improve their country in terms of education level, science, technology and infrastructure. This generosity will put into use our diplomatic philanthropy. As a result, the facts that we value one another and presume true the hypothesis that every individual deserves a chance to grow shall have had its way (Air University, 2013). It is beyond doubt that the United States played a massive role towards the liberation of Cuba from the French. We did so owing to the fact that we have faith in being independent. Though we signed treaties that enjoined us to Cuba, I am of the opinion that we ought to do away with treaties such as the Platt Amendment (Bacevich, 2012). I share the same view as Jonathan M. Hansen that we ought to give back Guantanamo back to Cuba. The only factor that can prove problematic towards the accomplishment of such a goal is the fact that it is not the decision of an individual whether we hand over Guantanamo to Cuba or not. The process of decision-making is rather inclusive. Dictatorship has never been a vice within the United States. We have faith in the fact that decision-making should be an inclusive process. It is for this reason that the National Security Advisory Council, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Director of National Intelligence, the Congress, and the Think Tank among others handles such significant matters of national security (Air University, 2012). Weather my courses of action are implemented remain to be seen. However, signs show that we will close Guantanamo bay detention camp soon and hand over to Cuba both the naval bases and the bay. My question is what opportunities such an action will present to the United States, Cuba and the surrounding nations (Air University, 2013). For the United States, I am of the opinion that closure of Guantanamo bay and parceling out to the Cuba will be a relief of blame. This is because repeatedly the issue of Guantanamo bay has been a thorn in the flesh of United States (Bacevich, 2012). The world has always blamed the United States as to why it has often demonstrated a mixed bag of reactions. They have reprimanded us because we subject the detainees to inappropriate living standards. In addition, the world has criticized us for the interrogation mechanisms employed while getting answers from the prisoners. More often than not, people have expressed disfavor at the fact that the national interests we claim to safeguard are the same ones we break (Bacevich, 2012). For Cuba, the opportunity would be ideal because they would begin exploiting the full potential of Guantanamo bay. The surrounding nations would also benefit a great deal due to the strategic location of Guantanamo bay (Air University, 2013). It would perfectly serve them and ensure that they enterprise on their productive potential. The greatest benefactor according to me would be the human race. I make this observation hinged on the fact that in the past, Guantanamo bay has been portrayed as an instrument of violating human rights. The fact that countries such as the United Kingdom have repeatedly negotiated for their citizens detained at the facilities to be subjected to domestic trials is clear proof that contravention of human rights goes on at the facility (Bacevich, 2012). I place confidence that closure of the Guantanamo bay detention camp will put a stop to the infringement of human rights. Another worrying trend that we are likely to curb by the closure of the facility is Muslim discrimination. Repeatedly, we have found ourselves in a difficult situation. This is because most of the people who take part in terrorism are of Muslim origin. Ranging from lethal Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden who was smoked out of hiding by our military, Saddam Hussein and till recently the White Widow who is one of the most wanted terrorists according to Interpol, it is no doubt that a number of times people of Muslim origin have taken part in acts of terror (Air University, 2013). President Barrack Obama upon assuming his position as head of state for his first term in 2008 reaffirmed that the United States will do all in its power to defeat terrorists and bring them to justice. True to his words, he has never looked back. He has stood firm and turned his back on terrorism, fighting it to the wire. It is this hypothesis that has mad people think that Guantanamo bay is a symbol of Muslim prejudice. The closure of the facility will therefore enable the United States to clear its name from such bad books (Bacevich, 2012). As much as I give credence to the United States for its activities in fostering peace worldwide, I share the opinion of Jonathan M. Hansen that a time has come for the United States to hand over the camp of Guantanamo back to Cuba. As much as the aspect of insecurity may come up due to the closure of the detention camp, I believe that the United States will forever be strong and united against terrorism. In like manner, I am rest assured that we shall defeat any attempt of terror made towards us. In conclusion, I trust that giving the facility back to Cuba will be a sign that the United States is still democratic and listens to the voice of reason, acts which we have always done. As John McCain put it, “Ultimately, whether we close down Guantanamo bay or not, is about morality. We are America, and we hold ourselves to a higher standard. That is what is really at stake (Bacevich, 2012).” I share the same opinion. We seem to have lost status concerning the Guantanamo Bay issue however; we should not allow ourselves to hit the skids. I believe that we can turn things round and make them change for the better. We can realize this if the key decision-making organs consider the courses of actions given above. References Bacevich, A. J. (2012). American Empire: The Realities and Consequences. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. University, A. (2012). International Security Studies. Directorate of Nonresident Studies. University, A. (2013). International Security Studies Part 2. Directorate of Nonresident Studies. Read More