Despite Calls for Closing GITMO, New Contract Awarded to Halliburton Subsidiary to Expand GITMO

Democrats have recently called for closing down GITMO. A few days ago, it was reported that the White House was split over closing GITMO. Then Cheney stepped in said NO GO! Yesterday Alberto Gonzales defended keeping GITMO open, reiterating Cheney’s stance. Rumsfeld jumped in with his 2 cents supporting keeping GITMO open, too.

Now, it has been announced that a contract has been awarded to a Halliburton subsidiary, to expand GITMO…

A day after Democratic Sens. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Patrick Leahy of Vermont, both pivotal figures on the Judiciary Committee, suggested the U.S. prison for enemy combatants in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should be closed, a contract to expand it was awarded.

The Navy announced Thursday that Kellogg Brown & Root Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Halliburton, will receive $30 million to build “Detention Camp #6” and a security fence.

The contract outlines construction of a two-story, 220-person facility with day rooms, exercise areas, medical spaces and security control room.

Of course, claims have been made the biding for the contract was competitive but it appears this is more greasing of the palms of Cheney’s pals…

The contract, which was competitively bid, drew fire from Democratic Senator
Frank Lautenberg, a critic of past contracts awarded to a company once headed by
Vice President Dick Cheney.

"After all of Halliburtons misconduct, why is the Bush administration giving them more contracts? Its just another example of how in this Administration, the foxes are guarding the henhouse," said Lautenberg.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports “Already, $110 million has been spent on construction there, and the prison costs about $95 million a year to operate.”