Post-presidency of Jimmy Carter South Africa, meeting with Zimbabwe- and South Africa-based leaders from politics, business, international organisations and civil society in Johannesburg. In 2001, Carter criticized President Bill Clinton's controversial pardon of Marc Rich, calling it "disgraceful" and suggesting that Rich's financial contributions to the Democratic Party were a factor in Clinton's action. In June 2005, Carter urged the closing of the Guantanamo Bay Prison in Cuba, which has been a focal point for recent claims of prisoner abuse. In September 2006, Carter was interviewed on the BBC's current affairs program "Newsnight", voicing his concern at the increasing influence of the Religious Right
USS Jimmy Carter allow her to keep station over selected targets in odd currents. Past submarines outfitted this way were used to tap undersea cables and to intercept communications of foreign countries. Intelligence experts speculate that the MMP may find use in similar missions as an underwater splicing chamber for optical fiber cables. On 19 November 2004 "Jimmy Carter" completed alpha sea trials, her first voyage in the open seas. On 22 December, Electric Boat delivered "Jimmy Carter" to the US Navy, and she was commissioned 19 February 2005 at NSB New London. "Jimmy Carter" began a transit from NSB New London to