(22 Jan 09 - RV) U.S. President Barack Obama today ordered the closure of the Guantanamo
military prison within a year, and a halt to harsh interrogation of terrorism suspects,
moving quickly to restore the U.S. image abroad.He signed the executive orders at
a White House ceremony. Shutting the controversial camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,
where terrorism suspects have been detained for years without trial, would fulfill
a promise Obama made during his campaign. The prison became a blot on the human rights
record of the United States and a symbol of detainee abuse and detention without charge
under the Bush administration. Also today in Washington, Hillary Rodham Clinton
took charge of the State Department today, proclaiming the start of a new era of robust
U.S. diplomacy to tackle the world's crises and improve America's standing abroad. Meanwhile
hundreds of thousands of pro-life campaigners converged on Washington DC this morning
for the Annual March for Life. They are concerned that President Obama or the Congress
will overturn the so-called "Conscience Rule," signed by former President Bush last
month. We spoke to Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, head of communications at the United States
Bishops Conference: