WASHINGTON--President Barack Obama is defending his decision to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, which has stirred international outcry for its questionable treatment of prisoners.

In an interview with "60 Minutes" (on CBS), Mr. Obama lashes out at the detainee policies pursued by the administration of his predecessor, George W. Bush.

Mr. Obama calls the Bush policy of indefinite detention "unsustainable," saying it generated anti-American sentiment without making the United States a safer place.

In the interview aired Sunday night, Mr. Obama strikes back at recent criticism by former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Cheney said Mr. Obama's national security decisions, including plans to close the prison, raise the risk of another terrorist attack against the U.S.

Mr. Obama acknowledged that some detainees released from Guantanamo have returned to terrorist groups. He said the U.S. has not done a very effective job determining which prisoners are truly dangerous.

Shortly after taking office in January, Mr. Obama ordered the closure of the detention center within a year. He also ordered an end to the harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects.

Approximately 250 people are locked up in the Guantanamo prison. The U.S. says about 60 of them are not security threats and can be cleared for release. (Source: voanews.com)

Story Date: March 23, 2009