Pentagon deems Saddam a prisoner of war

Washington Times ^ | 1/10/04 | From combined dispatches

[kattracks]

Pentagon lawyers have determined that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has been a prisoner of war since American forces captured him Dec. 13, a Defense Department spokesman said yesterday.

Despite that determination, top press aides to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld were grappling with what to say publicly about the issue. A senior defense official who insisted he not be named said Saddam's legal status was still under review.

[endthematrix]

The administration can say anything it wishes regarding status. I think the lawyers have confused them more than helped. Policy has been to throw what works at the time and revise if necessary. It is noteworthy that someone is not at the wheel. IMO, Saddam can't be a POW. The war is over. He's been a leader of insurgents fighting a terror war to expel the coalition and overthrow the new regime.

[Support Free Republic]

Got a nose for the news?

Then come join us anytime!
No need to spend money on clothes!
Casual attire welcome!
Donate the money you save on your wardrobe to Free Republic!

[kingu]

How can Saddam be a prisoner of war if the war has been declared over? A puzzle to me. But then again, it does make it easy to 'repatriate' him to the government of Iraq once they're all set up.

[exit82]

I don't deem him as a POW.

I deem him a POS.

[meenie]

The United States is in a state of war until an armistice treaty is signed. With no recognized government to sign off, the war will continue until a regime is recognized to sign a treaty. This is according to the Geneva Convention, which the United States is a signatory to. The Defense lawyers are right in this instance.

[FreeAtlanta]

I wonder if this is the same legal team that delayed the firing of hellfires from the drone that could have killed Mullah Omar early in the Afghan campaign?

[endthematrix]

Yep. It would be nice to find out who the lawyers are. I'd wager some are relatives of Pentagon brass and fresh out of Ivy League with less than stunning Bar scores.