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WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! Geneva Rules Apply to Captive Taliban Mike Allen and John Mintz Washington Post Service Friday, February 8, 2002 Bush Response to Allies' Pleas Excludes Al Qaeda Detainees WASHINGTON Responding to protests from allies around the world, President George W. Bush announced Thursday that the United States would grant the protections of the Geneva Conventions to detainees who had fought for Afghanistan's Taliban but not to members of the Qaeda terrorist network. . Until now, the 158 captives at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have not been afforded all of the protections of the Third Geneva Convention, which was signed in 1949 to ensure that treatment of wartime captives is humane and subject to international law. An additional 28 captives arrived at the base on Thursday. . International lawyers said the Bush decision on Thursday could curtail some U.S. interrogation tactics and could also strengthen the argument that the captives should be repatriated when hostilities cease. The United States said it was already providing medical treatment and allowing the captives to practice their religion, which are other issues covered by the convention. . The White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer, announcing the decision at a hastily scheduled afternoon briefing, said the administration was making the distinction in status because Afghanistan is a party to the Geneva Convention of 1949. . "Although the United States does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate Afghani government, the president determined that the Taliban members are covered under the treaty because Afghanistan is a party to the convention," Mr. Fleischer said. "Al Qaeda is an international terrorist group and cannot be considered a state party to the Geneva Convention." . Even supporters of the Taliban remain in something of a legal limbo, because the United States said that they would still not be considered prisoners of war. But legal specialists said the decision made it more likely that detainees would receive individual hearings. . "No distinction will be made in the good treatment given to the Al Qaeda or the Taliban," Mr. Fleischer said. . With his decision, Mr. Bush acknowledged the concerns of Pentagon officials, who feared that denying the protections to detainees from Afghanistan could be used as a precedent that would result in mistreatment of captured American soldiers at some future point in the war on terrorism. . Protests poured in from humanitarian groups around the world after the Defense Department made public a photo that showed the Guantanamo detainees shackled and on their knees. Pentagon officials said the detainees were being well treated and were in that position only for safety, just after being moved. In a rare open airing of a disagreement within the Bush administration, officials confirmed that Secretary of State Colin Powell had asked Mr. Bush to reexamine his Jan. 18 decision to deny Geneva protections to the detainees. White House officials said Secretary Powell was responding to complaints from U.S. allies in Europe and elsewhere. . Mr. Fleischer said Mr. Bush had "arrived at a just, principled and practical solution to a difficult issue." . "The president did so because, as Americans, the way we treat people is a reflection of America's values," Mr. Fleischer said. "The military operates under a code of conduct and upholds these values based on the dignity of every individual. The American people can take great pride in the way our military is treating these dangerous detainees." . Mr. Fleischer said the United States did not believe Taliban fighters were entitled to the status of prisoners of war because of Geneva Convention specifications about uniforms, military hierarchy and the conduct of operations. "The Taliban have not effectively distinguished themselves from the civilian population of Afghanistan," Mr. Fleischer said. "Moreover, they have not conducted their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war. Instead, they have knowingly adopted and provided support to the unlawful terrorist objectives" of Al Qaeda. . War of Wills at Guantanamo . John Mintz of The Washington Post reported earlier from Guantanamo Bay: . Many of the Qaeda and Taliban captives imprisoned at the U.S. naval base here are locked in a war of wills with their American captors, resisting giving information as interrogators devise ways to get them talking, such as engaging them in discussion about the Koran, U.S. government officials say. . At the same time, U.S. questioners have begun to make progress in unearthing intelligence information from some of the alleged terrorist prisoners, especially a few of the younger ones, sources said. . Government officials said the strategy was to make the detainees feel comfortable with their treatment, while applying subtle psychological pressure. . Government officials said U.S. personnel were carefully observing the behavior of each of the 158 prisoners - down to how much food they eat, and how long they pace in their cells - and added that each prisoner presented a different psychological profile. . "There are some very hardened, trained individuals who are watching us and biding their time," a U.S. government official said. "Others are just resisting." . The U.S. military has been interrogating other prisoners in Afghanistan. . Both the prisoners and the U.S. guards were extremely tense in the first weeks after the first prisoners arrived Jan. 11, but the atmosphere eased once American officials allowed the detainees to start talking, U.S. personnel said. . Many captives speak in English or their own language. But officials said they were wary that some of the most talkative and seemingly cooperative detainees are angling to lull the Americans into slipping up somehow. Officials think that while detainees may harbor fantasies of escape, the real goal of some is simply to kill or maim a guard. . For Related Topics See: Americas Asia/Pacific Europe < < Back to Start of Article Bush Response to Allies' Pleas Excludes Al Qaeda Detainees WASHINGTON Responding to protests from allies around the world, President George W. Bush announced Thursday that the United States would grant the protections of the Geneva Conventions to detainees who had fought for Afghanistan's Taliban but not to members of the Qaeda terrorist network. . Until now, the 158 captives at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have not been afforded all of the protections of the Third Geneva Convention, which was signed in 1949 to ensure that treatment of wartime captives is humane and subject to international law. An additional 28 captives arrived at the base on Thursday. . International lawyers said the Bush decision on Thursday could curtail some U.S. interrogation tactics and could also strengthen the argument that the captives should be repatriated when hostilities cease. The United States said it was already providing medical treatment and allowing the captives to practice their religion, which are other issues covered by the convention. . The White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer, announcing the decision at a hastily scheduled afternoon briefing, said the administration was making the distinction in status because Afghanistan is a party to the Geneva Convention of 1949. . "Although the United States does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate Afghani government, the president determined that the Taliban members are covered under the treaty because Afghanistan is a party to the convention," Mr. Fleischer said. "Al Qaeda is an international terrorist group and cannot be considered a state party to the Geneva Convention." . Even supporters of the Taliban remain in something of a legal limbo, because the United States said that they would still not be considered prisoners of war. But legal specialists said the decision made it more likely that detainees would receive individual hearings. . "No distinction will be made in the good treatment given to the Al Qaeda or the Taliban," Mr. Fleischer said. . With his decision, Mr. Bush acknowledged the concerns of Pentagon officials, who feared that denying the protections to detainees from Afghanistan could be used as a precedent that would result in mistreatment of captured American soldiers at some future point in the war on terrorism. . Protests poured in from humanitarian groups around the world after the Defense Department made public a photo that showed the Guantanamo detainees shackled and on their knees. Pentagon officials said the detainees were being well treated and were in that position only for safety, just after being moved. In a rare open airing of a disagreement within the Bush administration, officials confirmed that Secretary of State Colin Powell had asked Mr. Bush to reexamine his Jan. 18 decision to deny Geneva protections to the detainees. White House officials said Secretary Powell was responding to complaints from U.S. allies in Europe and elsewhere. . Mr. Fleischer said Mr. Bush had "arrived at a just, principled and practical solution to a difficult issue." . "The president did so because, as Americans, the way we treat people is a reflection of America's values," Mr. Fleischer said. "The military operates under a code of conduct and upholds these values based on the dignity of every individual. The American people can take great pride in the way our military is treating these dangerous detainees." . Mr. Fleischer said the United States did not believe Taliban fighters were entitled to the status of prisoners of war because of Geneva Convention specifications about uniforms, military hierarchy and the conduct of operations. "The Taliban have not effectively distinguished themselves from the civilian population of Afghanistan," Mr. Fleischer said. "Moreover, they have not conducted their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war. Instead, they have knowingly adopted and provided support to the unlawful terrorist objectives" of Al Qaeda. . War of Wills at Guantanamo . John Mintz of The Washington Post reported earlier from Guantanamo Bay: . Many of the Qaeda and Taliban captives imprisoned at the U.S. naval base here are locked in a war of wills with their American captors, resisting giving information as interrogators devise ways to get them talking, such as engaging them in discussion about the Koran, U.S. government officials say. . At the same time, U.S. questioners have begun to make progress in unearthing intelligence information from some of the alleged terrorist prisoners, especially a few of the younger ones, sources said. . Government officials said the strategy was to make the detainees feel comfortable with their treatment, while applying subtle psychological pressure. . Government officials said U.S. personnel were carefully observing the behavior of each of the 158 prisoners - down to how much food they eat, and how long they pace in their cells - and added that each prisoner presented a different psychological profile. . "There are some very hardened, trained individuals who are watching us and biding their time," a U.S. government official said. "Others are just resisting." . The U.S. military has been interrogating other prisoners in Afghanistan. . Both the prisoners and the U.S. guards were extremely tense in the first weeks after the first prisoners arrived Jan. 11, but the atmosphere eased once American officials allowed the detainees to start talking, U.S. personnel said. . Many captives speak in English or their own language. But officials said they were wary that some of the most talkative and seemingly cooperative detainees are angling to lull the Americans into slipping up somehow. Officials think that while detainees may harbor fantasies of escape, the real goal of some is simply to kill or maim a guard. .Bush Response to Allies' Pleas Excludes Al Qaeda Detainees WASHINGTON Responding to protests from allies around the world, President George W. Bush announced Thursday that the United States would grant the protections of the Geneva Conventions to detainees who had fought for Afghanistan's Taliban but not to members of the Qaeda terrorist network. . Until now, the 158 captives at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have not been afforded all of the protections of the Third Geneva Convention, which was signed in 1949 to ensure that treatment of wartime captives is humane and subject to international law. An additional 28 captives arrived at the base on Thursday. . International lawyers said the Bush decision on Thursday could curtail some U.S. interrogation tactics and could also strengthen the argument that the captives should be repatriated when hostilities cease. The United States said it was already providing medical treatment and allowing the captives to practice their religion, which are other issues covered by the convention. . The White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer, announcing the decision at a hastily scheduled afternoon briefing, said the administration was making the distinction in status because Afghanistan is a party to the Geneva Convention of 1949. . "Although the United States does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate Afghani government, the president determined that the Taliban members are covered under the treaty because Afghanistan is a party to the convention," Mr. Fleischer said. "Al Qaeda is an international terrorist group and cannot be considered a state party to the Geneva Convention." . Even supporters of the Taliban remain in something of a legal limbo, because the United States said that they would still not be considered prisoners of war. But legal specialists said the decision made it more likely that detainees would receive individual hearings. . "No distinction will be made in the good treatment given to the Al Qaeda or the Taliban," Mr. Fleischer said. . With his decision, Mr. Bush acknowledged the concerns of Pentagon officials, who feared that denying the protections to detainees from Afghanistan could be used as a precedent that would result in mistreatment of captured American soldiers at some future point in the war on terrorism. . Protests poured in from humanitarian groups around the world after the Defense Department made public a photo that showed the Guantanamo detainees shackled and on their knees. Pentagon officials said the detainees were being well treated and were in that position only for safety, just after being moved. In a rare open airing of a disagreement within the Bush administration, officials confirmed that Secretary of State Colin Powell had asked Mr. Bush to reexamine his Jan. 18 decision to deny Geneva protections to the detainees. White House officials said Secretary Powell was responding to complaints from U.S. allies in Europe and elsewhere. . Mr. Fleischer said Mr. Bush had "arrived at a just, principled and practical solution to a difficult issue." . "The president did so because, as Americans, the way we treat people is a reflection of America's values," Mr. Fleischer said. "The military operates under a code of conduct and upholds these values based on the dignity of every individual. The American people can take great pride in the way our military is treating these dangerous detainees." . Mr. Fleischer said the United States did not believe Taliban fighters were entitled to the status of prisoners of war because of Geneva Convention specifications about uniforms, military hierarchy and the conduct of operations. "The Taliban have not effectively distinguished themselves from the civilian population of Afghanistan," Mr. Fleischer said. "Moreover, they have not conducted their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war. Instead, they have knowingly adopted and provided support to the unlawful terrorist objectives" of Al Qaeda. . War of Wills at Guantanamo . John Mintz of The Washington Post reported earlier from Guantanamo Bay: . Many of the Qaeda and Taliban captives imprisoned at the U.S. naval base here are locked in a war of wills with their American captors, resisting giving information as interrogators devise ways to get them talking, such as engaging them in discussion about the Koran, U.S. government officials say. . At the same time, U.S. questioners have begun to make progress in unearthing intelligence information from some of the alleged terrorist prisoners, especially a few of the younger ones, sources said. . Government officials said the strategy was to make the detainees feel comfortable with their treatment, while applying subtle psychological pressure. . Government officials said U.S. personnel were carefully observing the behavior of each of the 158 prisoners - down to how much food they eat, and how long they pace in their cells - and added that each prisoner presented a different psychological profile. . "There are some very hardened, trained individuals who are watching us and biding their time," a U.S. government official said. "Others are just resisting." . The U.S. military has been interrogating other prisoners in Afghanistan. . Both the prisoners and the U.S. guards were extremely tense in the first weeks after the first prisoners arrived Jan. 11, but the atmosphere eased once American officials allowed the detainees to start talking, U.S. personnel said. . Many captives speak in English or their own language. But officials said they were wary that some of the most talkative and seemingly cooperative detainees are angling to lull the Americans into slipping up somehow. Officials think that while detainees may harbor fantasies of escape, the real goal of some is simply to kill or maim a guard. .Bush Response to Allies' Pleas Excludes Al Qaeda Detainees WASHINGTON Responding to protests from allies around the world, President George W. Bush announced Thursday that the United States would grant the protections of the Geneva Conventions to detainees who had fought for Afghanistan's Taliban but not to members of the Qaeda terrorist network. . Until now, the 158 captives at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have not been afforded all of the protections of the Third Geneva Convention, which was signed in 1949 to ensure that treatment of wartime captives is humane and subject to international law. An additional 28 captives arrived at the base on Thursday. . International lawyers said the Bush decision on Thursday could curtail some U.S. interrogation tactics and could also strengthen the argument that the captives should be repatriated when hostilities cease. The United States said it was already providing medical treatment and allowing the captives to practice their religion, which are other issues covered by the convention. . The White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer, announcing the decision at a hastily scheduled afternoon briefing, said the administration was making the distinction in status because Afghanistan is a party to the Geneva Convention of 1949. . "Although the United States does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate Afghani government, the president determined that the Taliban members are covered under the treaty because Afghanistan is a party to the convention," Mr. Fleischer said. "Al Qaeda is an international terrorist group and cannot be considered a state party to the Geneva Convention." . Even supporters of the Taliban remain in something of a legal limbo, because the United States said that they would still not be considered prisoners of war. But legal specialists said the decision made it more likely that detainees would receive individual hearings. . "No distinction will be made in the good treatment given to the Al Qaeda or the Taliban," Mr. Fleischer said. . With his decision, Mr. Bush acknowledged the concerns of Pentagon officials, who feared that denying the protections to detainees from Afghanistan could be used as a precedent that would result in mistreatment of captured American soldiers at some future point in the war on terrorism. . Protests poured in from humanitarian groups around the world after the Defense Department made public a photo that showed the Guantanamo detainees shackled and on their knees. Pentagon officials said the detainees were being well treated and were in that position only for safety, just after being moved. In a rare open airing of a disagreement within the Bush administration, officials confirmed that Secretary of State Colin Powell had asked Mr. Bush to reexamine his Jan. 18 decision to deny Geneva protections to the detainees. White House officials said Secretary Powell was responding to complaints from U.S. allies in Europe and elsewhere. . Mr. Fleischer said Mr. Bush had "arrived at a just, principled and practical solution to a difficult issue." . "The president did so because, as Americans, the way we treat people is a reflection of America's values," Mr. Fleischer said. "The military operates under a code of conduct and upholds these values based on the dignity of every individual. The American people can take great pride in the way our military is treating these dangerous detainees." . Mr. Fleischer said the United States did not believe Taliban fighters were entitled to the status of prisoners of war because of Geneva Convention specifications about uniforms, military hierarchy and the conduct of operations. "The Taliban have not effectively distinguished themselves from the civilian population of Afghanistan," Mr. Fleischer said. "Moreover, they have not conducted their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war. Instead, they have knowingly adopted and provided support to the unlawful terrorist objectives" of Al Qaeda. . War of Wills at Guantanamo . John Mintz of The Washington Post reported earlier from Guantanamo Bay: . Many of the Qaeda and Taliban captives imprisoned at the U.S. naval base here are locked in a war of wills with their American captors, resisting giving information as interrogators devise ways to get them talking, such as engaging them in discussion about the Koran, U.S. government officials say. . At the same time, U.S. questioners have begun to make progress in unearthing intelligence information from some of the alleged terrorist prisoners, especially a few of the younger ones, sources said. . Government officials said the strategy was to make the detainees feel comfortable with their treatment, while applying subtle psychological pressure. . Government officials said U.S. personnel were carefully observing the behavior of each of the 158 prisoners - down to how much food they eat, and how long they pace in their cells - and added that each prisoner presented a different psychological profile. . "There are some very hardened, trained individuals who are watching us and biding their time," a U.S. government official said. "Others are just resisting." . The U.S. military has been interrogating other prisoners in Afghanistan. . Both the prisoners and the U.S. guards were extremely tense in the first weeks after the first prisoners arrived Jan. 11, but the atmosphere eased once American officials allowed the detainees to start talking, U.S. personnel said. . Many captives speak in English or their own language. But officials said they were wary that some of the most talkative and seemingly cooperative detainees are angling to lull the Americans into slipping up somehow. 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