David Hicks at "breaking point"

"The new Australian civilian lawyer for Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks says he is shocked by his client's appearance and mental health, after their first meeting.

"David McLeod has just returned from his first visit to the US detention centre in Cuba.

"Military lawyer Major Michael Mori escorted Mr McLeod and another Australian lawyer, Michael Griffin, to Guantanamo Bay.

"Mr McLeod says his initial impression of David Hicks is that he is at physical and mental breaking point.

"'David's not well. He's got a bad back, his eyesight is failing,' he said.

"Mr McLeod described the conditions at the prison.

"'If you imagine going down to the zoo and watching the gorillas in an enclosure, that's how they're being held,' he said.

"In the United States there has been lot of debate surrounding Guantanamo Bay in recent weeks.

"Former American President Bill Clinton is the latest to say it should be cleaned up or closed down."
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