Technical flaws mar hearing in new Guantanamo court

By Randall Mikkelsen

GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden's suspected "media director" rejected U.S. terrorism court proceedings and renewed his allegiance to the al Qaeda leader on Wednesday in a hearing marred by technical flaws in a new Guantanamo courtroom.

With the lights momentarily out from a power failure in the windowless military courtroom set up to try Guantanamo prisoners, Al Hamza Ahmad Suliman al Bahlul declined to enter a plea at his arraignment on three terrorism-related charges.

He had earlier held up a handwritten "boycott" sign and declined to answer when asked whether he was rejecting his military attorney, though in a lengthy statement to the court he indicated he would not contest his charges.

"I am not going to say I'm not from al Qaeda," Bahlul said. "We will continue in our jihad and nothing is going to stop us."

The power failure and technical problems repeatedly disrupted what was the first hearing in the new courtroom, part of a $12 million complex built to handle a wave of trials expected to begin later this month at the U.S. naval base in southeastern Cuba.

"I think they should hire Mr. Bahlul to do a sound check next time," Air Force Maj. David Frakt, a military lawyer assigned to represent Bahlul, said after the hearing. Prosecutors describe Bahlul as an audio-visual expert for al Qaeda.

The Yemeni prisoner was charged with conspiracy, solicitation to commit murder and providing material support for terrorism. He was accused of preparing a propaganda video glorifying the attack on the American destroyer Cole, preparing the videotaped will of September 11 ringleader Mohamed Atta, and operating computer and communications gear for bin Laden.

"I am renewing my allegiance to Sheikh Osama bin Laden," said Bahlul, who wore a beard and loose green shirt as he sat at the defense table with two military guards behind him.

After the lights went out, the session continued in the dark. Bahlul did not respond when asked whether he wished to enter a plea. "Apparently not," said the judge, Army Col. Peter Brownback.

'MEDIA MAN'

Earlier audio-visual flaws prevented journalists and rights observers from hearing the opening proceedings in the viewers' gallery behind a soundproof double-glass curtain.

The problems also frustrated Brownback, who moved about the courtroom in search of a working microphone and complained, "I don't know what's wrong with the audio in this place."

Bahlul was unflustered, telling the court, "I am a media man myself. I know the effect of media. Trust me I really don't care."

Brownback allowed Bahlul to act as his own attorney for now, but kept Frakt on standby basis. Frakt said Bahlul's self-representation creates big problems for the military -- such as whether Bahlul can see classified evidence against him or how he can review any case material, given the absence of computers in the prison.

Brownback set Bahlul's next hearing for June 26-27.