On Wed, 23 Jul 2003 21:51:13 +0100, "Paul J. Adam"
wrote:

In message , Colin Campbell
writes
On Wed, 23 Jul 2003 14:43:39 GMT, Henrietta K Thomas
wrote:
Because, by that time, it may be too late. Under international law,
every accused person is entitled to be treated humanely, to be
properly advised of any charges against them, to be properly
advised of their right to defend themselves. Holding people at
Guantanamo doesn't excuse the US from obeying international
law. We get away with it only because we're the most powerful
nation on earth and no one dares to challenge us.

You realize that under international law the US has the right to shoot
them out of hand?

Chapter and verse, Colin, please.

(You're usually very clueful, but the GCs are explicit: even spies may
not be shot out of hand, but must be tried first)

You are correct. They can be tried - then shot.


BTW, are you aware that the rules covering these trials are copied
almost verbatim from the rules for US military courts-martial?

Apart from issues like secret hearings, strict controls on defence
counsel and the absence of defence witnesses?

Only specific parts of the hearings will be 'secret.' Those are the
parts where "Information whose unauthorized disclosure can be
reasonable expected to cause harm to the national defense"

I suggest that you actually read the rules instead of somebody's
opinions of the rules. Here is a link to the actual text.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2...0020321ord.pdf



What rights to the Gitmo prisoners have?

See the above link. Please note: we consider them to be criminals -
not combatants.


Roughly how many of those detainees are there because of information
that is currently TOP SECRET US EYES ONLY, out of interest?

I don't know - and if I did I would not be able to discuss it with
you.

FYI, I have talked to people who actually guarded those folks. As a
result, I feel that they are too dangerous to ever be let free.

Or what we can do is give them their weapons back and turn them loose
in your hometown.


--
In every generation the world has produced enemies
of human freedom. They have attacked America because
we are freedom's home and defender. The commitment
of our fathers is not the challenge of our time.
President George W Bush - Sept 14, 2001