**OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN KLINE**

June 30, 2005

**Guantanamo Patriots Deserve Our Respect**

Dear Colleague:

I would like to bring to your attention an op-ed article I authored
which was published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune regarding the
honorable service of our men and women in uniform who serve at
Guantanamo Bay. We must continue to be uncompromising in our support for
the U.S. military personnel who serve our nation throughout the world.

Sincerely,

/s/

John Kline

Member of Congress

**Guantanamo Patriots Deserve Our Respect**

**by John Kline**

On Tuesday of this week, Senator Dick Durbin finally apologized on the
Floor of the United States Senate for his odious mischaracterization of
our U.S. military personnel serving at Guantanamo Bay. His apology came
in response to the wake-up call from a chorus of critics who highlighted
the offense and disgrace of his remarks. Unfortunately, the Star Tribune
remains asleep.

In a recent editorial, the Star Tribune characterized as "spot on"
Durbin's comparison of U.S. military personnel conduct toward detainees
at Guantanamo Bay to the genocide and atrocities committed by Nazis,
Soviets in their gulags, and Pol Pot.

Your commendation of statements which so clearly dishonor our servicemen
and women and diminish the true suffering of the millions of victims of
those regimes of terror is shocking. Your description of organizations
and individuals such as the Anti-Defamation League and Democratic
Chicago Major Richard Daley as an "orchestrated right-wing smear effort"
is equally surprising.

I agree our focus should be on the "truth Americans need to hear." Let
us consider just a few notable truths.

Truth: Since September 11, 2001 more than 70,000 detainees have been
captured in Afghanistan and Iraq. The vast majority have been released.
Of those individuals who remain, approximately 800 suspected Al Qaeda or
Taliban terrorist trainers, bomb makers, terrorist financiers, and
would-be suicide bombers have been sent to Guantanamo Bay. Already 235
of these individuals have been released or transferred, and an
additional 61 await release or transfer.

Truth: The detainees at Guantanamo Bay are not being held arbitrarily.
Each of the detainees has received a tribunal review consistent with
Supreme Court rulings. At least once per year, the detainees receive an
additional review by an administrative review board, based on threat,
for possible release.

Truth: Officials at Guantanamo have provided unprecedented access and
transparency since 2002. The International Committee of the Red Cross
has been granted 24/7 access to the facility. More than 1,000 national
and international journalists have made over 400 visits to Guantanamo.

Truth: A captured Al Qaeda training manual (the Manchester Document)
instructs members to allege abuse and torture if captured.

Truth: Intelligence gained at Guantanamo Bay has prevented terrorist
attacks and saved American lives. Through questioning at Guantanamo bay,
U.S. military personnel have learned a great deal about the
organizational structure of Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups; the
extent of terrorist presence in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East;
methods of terrorist recruitment; and how legitimate financial
activities have been used to hide terrorist operations.

In light of these truths, it is curious that allegations of abuse by
well-trained enemy combatants should be more readily accepted than the
word of our men and women in uniform who serve - and have previously
served - our country at Guantanamo. These patriots deserve our respect
and gratitude. They are doing an excellent job of uncovering truths
which will help keep America safe - and *this* is the truth Americans
need to hear.