Washington: Notwithstanding the domestic controversy surrounding the venue of his trial, the White House has said that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks, would be brought to justice.
"One way or the other, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will be brought to justice ... I don`t think you can be any tougher than that," White House Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, said.
Noting that US President Barack Obama has taken the fight against terrorism internationally, he said: "We will seek justice on behalf of thousands that were killed on September 11th because of the hateful acts of somebody like Khalid
Sheikh Mohammed."
Gibbs said a decision was made appropriately in conjunction with an inter-agency process by the Attorney General to try Mohammad in a New York court. There had been strong opposition to this decision both from the New York City Mayor and several US lawmakers.
"Obviously there are efforts on Capitol Hill through legislation to restrict either the type of or the venue of a trial for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his co-conspirators. That, by definition, involves the White House and ultimately the President," he said.
"So since this effort has moved from strictly a Justice Department decision to something that`s in the legislative arena, the White House and by definition the President are involved," Gibbs said. The White House spokesman said Obama would take into account the security and logistical concerns that had been brought forth by New York City.
"And those will be, as he said, taken into account before a final decision is made" on the venue of the trial, he said, adding that there was a meeting at the White House in this regard yesterday but this was not a decision-making meeting.
"We are going to take into account security and logistical concerns that those individuals now have. The cost of the trial obviously is one thing, and all of that will be taken into account," Gibbs said.
When asked if the administration is considering a military commission for Khalid Sheikh Mohammad, Gibbs said: "There are a series of things that are being looked at, most appropriately the security and logistical concerns of those in New York, as a decision is being made."
Obama has not ruled out the fact that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would still be tried in a federal court in New York.
PTI
