Briefly
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on June 24, 2005 1:45 PM
Butterfield to Guantanamo
U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield will join fellow House Armed Services Committee members on a one-day tour of the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Saturday.
"With all the controversy swirling around the treatment of prisoners in Cuba, this is an opportunity to gain some first-hand perspective," said Butterfield, representing the 1st Congressional District, including part of Wayne County.
Butterfield said that he wants to examine the facility first-hand before deciding whether an independent commission should be established to investigate the allegations and complaints.
The U.S. Navy detention facility in Cuba has been a source of controversy because of allegations of abuse of prisoners, who are accused of links to Afghanistan's ousted Taliban regime or the al-Qaida terror network. Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter have called for the facility to close while the Bush administration has defended the treatment of detainees and the camp.
There are about 520 detainees being held at the prison. It has the capacity to hold about 1,000 prisoners, and the Navy is expanding it by 220 beds.
Bloodmobile in July
The following is the July Bloodmobile schedule for the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross has been announced.
July 7 -- Eureka United Methodist Church from 2:30 to 7 p.m.
July 8 -- Home Health and Hospice from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
July 12 -- Red Cross chapter house, 600 N. George St., from 2 to 6:30 p.m. by appointment only by calling 735-7201.
July 16 -- Mount Carmel United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
July 18 -- Gold's Gym from 3:30 to 8 p.m.
July 19 -- Jaycees blood drive at the Red Cross chapter house, 600 N. George St., from 2 to 6 p.m.
July 21 -- Oak Forest Road Church of Christ from 2:30 to 7 p.m.
July 25 -- Mount Olive McDonald's from 1:30 to 6 p.m.
July 27 -- Wayne Community College from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
July 28 -- Goldsboro Milling Co. from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.