Obama 'breaks promise', gives blessing to rendition
Rendition to continue under Barack Obama's administration
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Monday, 02, Feb 2009 08:10
Barack Obama's first major acts as US president may have received considerable praise but commentators are questioning the transparency of his administration and whether it marks a complete departure from the Bush era.
Upon taking office Mr Obama ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison camp and called for an end to harsh interrogation techniques, which some had described as torture.
It has emerged since, however, that the CIA will still have the power to carry out renditions in which suspects are picked up and taken abroad for secret questioning.
The practice caused considerable outrage in the EU when it emerged secret prisons in Poland and Romania had been used for the questioning, with airports such as Prestwick in Scotland used to transport the suspects.
The executive orders signed by Mr Obama closing the Cuban camp outlined that renditions would not be made illegal and would continue to be used as a method of tackling global terrorism.
There has been further concern at Mr Obama's first bill passed into law – the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
Before taking office Mr Obama pledged the public would have more time to inspect and review non-emergency bills passed into law.
During his campaign for the White House, the 44th president said he would allow the American public five days to comment on any bill.
However, it has emerged that the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act passed into the US Senate on January 22nd, passed into the House of Representatives on the 27th and was signed by Mr Obama two days later.
The fact only 48 hours passed between the bill's final passage and its signing has been picked up by some US commentators who have described it as Mr Obama's first "broken promise" to the American people.