Council for a Livable World

Political action to reduce nuclear threats

  • Elections
    • Senate Victories
    • House Victories
    • Political Analysis
    • Who We’ve Helped Elect
  • Legislation
    • Key National Security Legislation
    • National Security Legislative Calendar
    • Legislative Achievements
  • Take Action
    • Avoiding Oppenheimer’s Nuclear Nightmare in Our Current Reality
    • Twin Threats: Climate Change and Nuclear War
    • Issues
    • Join Our Email List
    • Become a Member
  • About
    • Staff
    • Press
    • Newsletter
    • Boards & Experts
    • Jobs & Internships
    • Financials and Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Search
You are here: Home / Blog / Petraeus Supports Obama on Guantanamo, Torture

May 26, 2009

Petraeus Supports Obama on Guantanamo, Torture

Senate members may have dealt President Obama a significant – even if temporary – defeat last week for his efforts to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay when they voted overwhelmingly (90 – 6) to prohibit its funding, but this weekend identified an additional, crucial ally for Obama and other progressives in their efforts to end practices that have undermined efforts to prevent terrorism. This time, his plan’s endorsement came from the former leader of US forces in Iraq and current commander of CENTCOM, US forces in the broader Middle East – Gen. David Petraeus.

In an interview on Radio Free Europe on Sunday, Gen. Petraeus argued that closing the Guantanamo and ending torture would benefit the US in its efforts to combat terrorism.

Key excerpts below, or read the transcript here.

“I think, on balance, that those moves help [us]…In fact, I have long been on record as having testified and also in helping write doctrine for interrogation techniques that are completely in line with the Geneva Convention. And as a division commander in Iraq in the early days, we put out guidance very early on to make sure that our soldiers, in fact, knew that we needed to stay within those guidelines…

“With respect to Guantanamo, I think that the closure in a responsible manner…sends an important message to the world, as does the commitment of the United States to observe the Geneva Convention when it comes to the treatment of detainees.”

Posted in: Blog

Recent Posts

  • An Early Look at the 2026 Senate Elections May 9, 2025
  • Shawn Rostker: ‘Quiet diplomacy is likely happening, even if the public posture is more restrained’ May 7, 2025
  • Council: Front and Center: April 21, 2025 April 21, 2025
  • Council: Front and Center: March 22, 2025 March 22, 2025
  • STATEMENT ON TRUMP-ZELENSKYY OVAL OFFICE MEETING February 28, 2025
Council for a Livable World logo

820 1st Street NE, Suite LL-180
Washington, D.C. 20002
Phone: 202.543.4100

Elections

  • Meet The Candidates
  • Senate Candidates
  • House Candidates
  • Who We’ve Helped Elect

Legislation

  • Key National Security Legislation
  • National Security Legislative Calendar
  • Legislative Achievements

Take Action

  • Issues
  • Join Our Email List
  • Become a Member

About

  • History & Mission
  • Staff
  • Press
  • Newsletter
  • Boards & Experts
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Financials and Annual Reports
  • Contact Us
  • Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook

© 2025 Council for a Livable World
Privacy Policy