LoungeMachine
08-04-2006, 12:57 AM
United Press International
U.S. Congress debates war crimes
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Congress has been formally requested to clarify wording on what the Geneva Conventions prohibit and consider war crimes.
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales took the Bush administrations request to Congress Wednesday in the wake of the Supreme Court striking down the administration's methods of detention and interrogation of terror suspects in June.
"The surest way to achieve that clarity and certainty, in our view, is for Congress to set forth a definite and clear list of offenses serious enough to be considered war crimes," Gonzales said.
While the administration is hoping Congress will come to its defense with reworded legislation, the White House faces opposition in the Senate, led by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., The New York Times reported.
McCain, a former prisoner of war, said Congress should not endorse any treatment it would not want used on U.S. soldiers.
"We must remain a nation that is different from, and above, our enemies," McCain said.
U.S. Congress debates war crimes
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. Congress has been formally requested to clarify wording on what the Geneva Conventions prohibit and consider war crimes.
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales took the Bush administrations request to Congress Wednesday in the wake of the Supreme Court striking down the administration's methods of detention and interrogation of terror suspects in June.
"The surest way to achieve that clarity and certainty, in our view, is for Congress to set forth a definite and clear list of offenses serious enough to be considered war crimes," Gonzales said.
While the administration is hoping Congress will come to its defense with reworded legislation, the White House faces opposition in the Senate, led by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., The New York Times reported.
McCain, a former prisoner of war, said Congress should not endorse any treatment it would not want used on U.S. soldiers.
"We must remain a nation that is different from, and above, our enemies," McCain said.