Guantanamo trials 'set to resume'

Some 460 suspects are believed to be held at Guantanamo Bay

Key terrorism suspects held by the US at the Guantanamo Bay detention centre could go on trial early next year, US military prosecutors have said.

They include 14 suspects previously held at secret CIA prisons, the existence of which was admitted by President George W Bush on Wednesday.

Mr Bush plans to resume military tribunals, which were stopped in June.

Dick Marty, who investigated the issue of the CIA prisons for the Council of Europe, welcomed Mr Bush's disclosure.

"I'm pleased that finally, a bit late, the White House has acknowledged it.

"I hope that the American administration, which has started to tell a part of the truth, will say all the truth... I think it's even an obligation to their own citizens," the Swiss senator told the BBC.

The BBC's Alix Kroeger in Brussels says President Bush's comments are vindication for the Euro-MPs who have been investigating claims of clandestine CIA activity in Europe.

Until now, the US had admitted to picking up terrorism suspects in Europe, but had not confirmed reports of the secret prisons, or so-called "black sites".

Our correspondent says Mr Bush's admission is now likely to lead to further questions.

Death sentence

If Congress approves Mr Bush's plan, the Pentagon's chief prosecutor, Col Maurice Davis, said suspects including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged architect of the 11 September 2001 attacks, could go on trial within months.

KEY SUSPECTS Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (above left): Alleged mastermind of 9/11; believed to be the Number 3 al-Qaeda leader before he was captured in Pakistan in 2003 Abu Zubaydah: Alleged link between Osama Bin Laden and many al-Qaeda cells before his capture in Pakistan in 2002 Ramzi Binalshibh (above right): One of the alleged masterminds of 9/11 Hambali (Riduan Isamuddin): Alleged senior leader in Jemaah Islamiah (JI); wanted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines in connection with blasts Profiles of the 14 suspects Quelling critics Q&A: Bush's announcement

"I'm expecting we will be back in court around the first of the year [2007]," Col Davis told the Associated Press news agency.

He said about 75 detainees would be charged and some might face capital punishment.

"Obviously someone of [Khalid Sheikh Mohammed's] magnitude it would be reasonable to expect would be subject to the death penalty," Col Davis said.

Mr Mohammed was captured in Pakistan in 2002 and held in a secret CIA prison before being transferred to Guantanamo.

The US Supreme Court ruled Mr Bush did not have the authority to order such trials but left the way open for the president to seek Congressional approval for their resumption.

Mr Bush said he was asking Congress to authorise the tribunals to go ahead under new guidelines drawn up by his administration.

New legislation

The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the prospect of the man accused of hatching the 11 September plot being put on trial is of course enormously appealing to many Americans.

HAVE YOUR SAY The admission made yesterday by Mr Bush should not be a surprise to anyone Dominick, Florida Send us your comments Bush gives 'plot details'

He says that, as for the CIA prison programme, with the transfer of the 14 men and the previous return of others to their home countries, the secret prisons were now, according to the White House, empty.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said there was a new drive to bring terrorism suspects to justice.

"We're going to have now an effort in this country to come up with legislation that will give a new basis - a firm basis, a sustainable basis - to our efforts in the war on terrorism.

"And, secondly, to begin to bring some of these people to justice, when military commissions are available to us."

Pre-trial hearings against 10 suspects at Guantanamo were under way when the Supreme Court issued its ruling against the tribunals.

It said the proceedings violated US and international law governing the treatment of prisoners.

Detainees at Guantanamo Bay are classified as enemy combatants, rather than prisoners-of-war, but the new guidelines will afford them protection under the Geneva Conventions.