Prison at Guantanamo bay creates wrong image of USA, Bush says

Mr. Bush's comments came amid a security crackdown at the base that included the removal yesterday of four American journalists who had been reporting on the deaths of a Yemeni and two Saudi detainees, National Post reports.

Photo: Prison at Guantanamo bay creates wrong image of USA, Bush says

The men hanged themselves with clothing and bedsheets on Saturday.

The suicides prompted the Pentagon to postpone all military tribunals for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo "until further notice," throwing a blanket of uncertainty over upcoming hearings for the lone Canadian at the prison, 19-year-old Omar Khadr.

The White House says detainees are treated fairly and humanely. All receive a review by military officers of their status as enemy combatants and are allowed to contest it. Lawyers for the detainees say they should be charged with crimes or released.

Ten detainees have been charged with crimes, according to the USA today.

There have been 41 reported suicide attempts since the prison opened in January 2002. Periodic hunger strikes have taken place. One last month involved 75 detainees.