Senators defy Bush on tribunals

A US Senate committee has defied President George W Bush by approving legislation to set up trials for foreign terrorism suspects. The panel voted 15-9 to back the bill, which Mr Bush has vowed to block.






Ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell has backed Republicans opposing legislation sponsored by Mr Bush that would allow military tribunals at Guantanamo Bay.Correspondents say the split within the party risks damaging its prospects in November's mid-term elections.

Four Republican senators joined opposition Democrats on the Armed Services Committee to approve their measure instead of the tougher bill put forward by the president.

The senators argued that Mr Bush's proposals would effectively redefine the Geneva Conventions to allow harsh treatment of detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba. The rebels include three prominent senators, John McCain, John Warner and Lindsey Graham, who say Mr Bush's bill would do further damage to America's moral authority.

The three were joined by Mr Powell, who said in a letter that redefining the Geneva Conventions would put American troops at risk.

"The world is beginning to doubt the moral basis of our fight against terrorism," Mr Powell said.

Source

' Beginning to doubt".... Politely put Mr Powell , The world began to doubt the moral basis of the fight against terrorism when the US invaded Iraq. Approving this legislation is a tiny step in the correct direction. Correcting the moral basis would certainly never happen under this administration. They have already shown the morality of their view and it is not morality at all under everybody Else's understanding. Damage limitation is obviously a good thing and I support this legislation. But let us not kid ourselves in to thinking that the problem is so narrow. Respect will only be returned when genuine morality is returned to the US government. For every step that the US senate makes , be assured that the likes of John Bolton will continue to undo that credit each and every time they opens their mouth.