The Supreme Court ruled in June that Bush's court system established
to prosecute terrorism suspects was illegal and violated the Geneva
Conventions.
From The Associated Press, 9/13/06:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060913/ap_on_go_co/congress_terrorism
White House, GOP senators clash
By ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON -
Negotiations between the White House and a trio of powerful GOP
senators snagged Wednesday over Bush administration demands that
Congress reinterpret the nation's treaty obligations to allow tough
CIA interrogations of terrorism suspects.
Sen. John Warner, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said his
panel would meet Thursday to finalize an alternative to
President Bush's plan to prosecute terror suspects and redefine acts
that constitute war crimes.
Warner said he was aware the White House may come out in opposition of
his legislation.
The Supreme Court ruled in June that Bush's court system established
to prosecute terrorism suspects was illegal and violated the Geneva
Conventions.
Since then, Congress and the administration have been drafting
legislation that would authorize Bush to continue with the military
commissions.
"The credibility of the United States is very much a factor in this
negotiation," said Warner.
The Virginia Republican said another Supreme Court ruling against
Bush's policies in the war on terror would deal a "severe blow."
At issue primarily is the administration's suggestion to rule that an
existing ban on cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment meets the
nation's obligations under the treaty.
A section of the Geneva Conventions telling with prisoner treatment,
Common Article 3, goes much farther.
Officials have said they believe Common Article 3 is too vague.
Graham said CIA Director Michael Hayden told Republican senators this
week that the CIA interrogation program would fail unless Congress
passed Bush's plan -- an assertion Graham said was "over the line."
The White House legislation would cause a "ripple effect of monumental
proportions" because it would invite other nations to revise their
interpretation of the Geneva Convention standards, said Graham, R-S.C.
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Seems like this whole Republican government is deteriotaing into a
huge ugly fascist stew.
Harry
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