Cuba

Military judge rules against key Guantanamo figure: paper

"National attention focused on this dispute has seriously called into question the legal adviser's ability to continue to perform his duties in a neutral and objective manner"

A U.S. military judge has disqualified a Pentagon general who has been a key figure in Guantanamo war crimes tribunals from playing any role in the first case headed for trial, The New York Times reported on ... via WNED.org

Cuban rolls cigar said to be world's longest

"It's an honor for Cuba and I feel satisfied to do it for Cuba"

With music, dancing and rum, Cubans celebrated on Friday the likely return of a record they consider rightfully theirs -- the world's longest cigar. via XtraMSN Real Estate

Guantanamo detainees spead word to boycott trials

"Many of them are advising him, 'Don't trust the Americans, don't trust the attorney, don't tell them anything, don't cooperate, boycott,'"

The message travels among Guantanamo detainees in whispers between recreation areas and shouts through slots in cell doors: Don't trust the Americans. via The South Mississippi Sun Herald

Document: Fugitive US financier Robert Vesco died

"Is it right to harass a man like that?"

Robert Vesco, the American fugitive who cooked up moneymaking schemes that allegedly involved everyone from Colombian drug lords to the families of U.S. presidents, died in Cuba and was buried almost six months ... via Free Republic

U.S. said to shift plans for top brass in Pakistan

Reuters Friday, May 9, 2008; 1:16 AM WASHINGTON - The U.S. military has dropped plans to assign the former commander of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba , to Pakistan , after sharp criticism of his ... via The Washington Post

U.S. program to help dissidents from Cuba undergoes overhaul

"We think it presents an opportunity for real, profound change in Cuba."

The Bush administration is overhauling a controversial democracy-promotion program for Cuba in hopes of tightening financial controls and broadening the effort beyond the anti-Castro groups in Florida that have ... via South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Recent suicide bomber was ex-Gitmo inmate

"Whoever can join them and execute a suicide operation, let him do so. By God, it will be a mortal blow"

A former prisoner who complained of mistreatment at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, was involved in a suicide bombing last month in Iraq, U.S. military officials said. via Political Gateway

U.S. military judge threatens to suspend Khadr trial over evidence issues

A U.S. military judge is threatening to suspend the trial of Canadian Omar Khadr unless the government provides defence lawyers with day-to-day records of his confinement. via Canoe

Guantanamo man says UK knew he would be tortured

"What possible moral position can the British government take that gives them the right to deny this sort of assistance to a person who's had a razor blade taken to his genitals?"

British intelligence knew in advance that a former London janitor now awaiting trial by a U.S. military commission in Guantanamo Bay would be tortured in an Arab country to extract evidence, his lawyers allege. via Reuters

Technical flaws mar hearing in new Guantanamo court

"I am renewing my allegiance to Sheikh Osama bin Laden"

Osama bin Laden's suspected "media director" rejected U.S. terrorism court proceedings and renewed his allegiance to the al Qaeda leader on Wednesday in a hearing marred by technical flaws in a new Guantanamo ... via Reuters