Let Cuba decide on Guantanamo

Re “Court denies Guantanamo legal rights,” Feb. 21

Although it is disconcerting that this country would deny effective redress to anyone it detains, the court has ruled. Just one question, though. If [as the decision states], “Cuba -- not the United States -- has sovereignty over Guantanamo Bay,” will the U.S. government recognize whatever redress options the detainees have available under Cuban law?

SIRPA BROCK

Redondo Beach

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It is not surprising that the U.S. Court of Appeals has denied Guantanamo detainees the right of habeas corpus. What is surprising, however, is that the initial plan to detain and torture foreign suspects on Cuban soil was established precisely so that restrictions or regulations on our military’s actions would be consistently bypassed and thus untouchable in any court of law. Wouldn’t it be in the best interest of our government to expedite these trials and determine the imminent innocence or guilt of the suspects in question? In other words, what could possibly hinder the country by giving these prisoners the right to a trial? It seems overly suspicious that U.S. leaders are fighting to silence what might possibly have been a grave mistake from the very beginning.

SUSAN SHULTZ

Ridgecrest, Calif.

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The appeals court has declared that Cuba and not the U.S. has sovereignty over Guantanamo Bay. So, Fidel Castro, march right in -- it’s all yours! As if we needed another example that the U.S. judicial system is the laughingstock of the world.

ROBERT MEYERHOF

Los Angeles