US President Barack Obama’s new roadmap for counter-terrorism policies has been endorsed by top US officials and lawmakers.
Spelling out the future policies yesterday, Obama had justified the use of drones in war against terrorism and also reiterated his commitment to close down the terrorist detention centre in Guantanamo.
“We will not back down in the face of violent extremism — because perseverance is in our diplomatic DNA. Building people to people relationships is in our national interest because it means we can solve problems before they turn into ‘boots on the ground’ crises,” Secretary of State John Kerry said.
“As we build trust, it will be necessary to make clear our criteria for deploying drones overseas and to finish the work of closing the Guantanamo detention centre. These are vital objectives in showing the world that we are who we say we are,” Kerry said.
James R. Clapper, Director of National Intelligence, welcomed the effort to strengthen the process for reviewing and approving counter-terrorism operations.
“A consistent and regularised inter-agency coordination process that involves policymakers, intelligence professionals and the legal community is essential to preventing and responding to terrorism while ensuring the freedoms that are the bedrock of our democracy,” he said.
US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel jhas applauded Obama’s leadership in defending the US America and advancing its interests around the world.
Hagel said that he has directed his officials to work closely with inter-agency partners and allies to implement the President’s guidance, including the efforts to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
Republican Senator John McCain said that he supported Obama’s speech, but continued to have questions and concerns about specific details to how he planned to achieve the goals he had laid out.
McCain said that he supported Obama’s plan to consolidate the use of armed drones in the Department of Defence and his reaffirmation of the goal of closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has commended Obama’s comprehensive framework for US counter-terrorism strategy.
“The President has made transparency and the disclosure of information to the public on our counter-terrorism policies and operations a priority. He should be commended for his promise to work with Congress to ensure proper and appropriate oversight,” she said.