Bush defends treatment of terror detainees

WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush has defended the US treatment of detainees and said the mastermind of the September 11 attacks, being held in secret custody, could provide valuable information to help protect Americans and Europeans.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, allegedly the brains behind the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, has been held at an undisclosed location since he was captured in Pakistan in March 2003.

"We've got some in custody -- Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is a classic example. The mastermind of the September the 11th attack that killed over 3,000 of our citizens," Bush said at a press conference after meeting with European Union leaders.

"And he is being detained because we think he could possibly give us information that might not only protect us, but protect citizens in Europe," Bush said.

"And at some point in time he will be dealt with, but right now we think it's best that he be kept in custody. We want to learn as much as we can in this new kind of war about the intention, and about the methods, about how these people operate," he said.

"And they're dangerous, and they're still around, and they'll kill on a moment's notice."

While a number of senior al Qaeda members have been captured or killed, the network's leader, Osama bin Laden, and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, have evaded a US-led manhunt.

Bush also defended the treatment of terrorism suspects being held at the US detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and challenged reporters to go and see for themselves.

The administration is facing growing calls to close the Guantanamo Bay prison or define the legal rights of the detainees, many of whom have been held there for more than three years.

The prison has also been roiled by allegations of abusive behaviour toward detainees.

Former President Bill Clinton, in an interview with the Financial Times, said Guantanamo Bay "either needs to be closed down or cleaned up." "Those of us who espouse freedom have an obligation and those who espouse human rights have an obligation to ... live up to those words. And I believe we are in Guantanamo," Bush said.

He said the site is inspected by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the prisoners were treated similar to the requirements under the Geneva Conventions.

"About 200 or so have been released back to their countries, there needs to be a way forward on the other 500 that are there," Bush said.

"We are now waiting for a federal court to decide whether or not they can be tried in a military court ... or in the civilian courts," he added.

"Make no mistake, however, that many of those folks being detained, in humane conditions I might add, are dangerous people," Bush said.

- REUTERS