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Guantanamo Prisoners' Future?

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The Supreme Court has dealt President Bush a stunning rebuke in his efforts to expand his war-time authority. In a landmark ruling today, the high court says the Bush Administration over-stepped its constitutional authority when it set up military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay.

Some 450 detainees, whom the government had called "unlawful enemy combatants" not protected by the Geneva Conventions, are held at the U.S. base in Cuba. But in today's ruling, the High Court ruled the President was wrong.

The ruling resolves one of the most significant presidential war powers cases since World War Two, and gives the detainees a new set of legal rights. But the ruling doesn't resolve the more complicated issue: how to shut Guantanamo down, and resolve the fate of hundreds of detainees who will probably never face trial.

Hear about today's Supreme Court decision on US Presidential power at Guantanamo.

Guests:

David Savage, Supreme Court correspondent for The Los Angeles Times

John Radsan, professor at the William Mitchell Colllege of Law

John Hutson, president and dean of the Franklin Pierce Law Center, former JAG lawyer

Thomas Wiler, attorney, defended Guantanamo detainee

This program aired on June 29, 2006.

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