Appeals Court Judges Wrestle With Question Of Force-Feeding At Guantanamo

WASHINGTON — An appeals court panel Friday wrestled with a challenge to force-feeding hunger strikers at Guantanamo Bay, with a lawyer for the detainees acknowledging he was seeking a ruling "that may lead to death."

But the attorney, Jon Eisenberg, told the three judges hearing the case that the authorities at the Naval base in Cuba are force-feeding detainees before their lives are at risk.

"And then what?" Judge David Tatel asked pointedly. "Then force-feed them?"

"Good question," Eisenberg replied.

"If the court were to look for some kind of middle ground, I'd be OK with that," said Eisenberg, referring to force-feeding detainees who are on the verge of death. He said after the hearing that wouldn't be his preference, but that it would be better than the current situation.

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