[Toddsterpatriot]

By declaring all combatants in Iraq, we are no different that our enemy, and the treaty would never have any meaning to any nation for any reason. You just declare them terrorists and be done with it.

Any members of Saddam's armed forces should have the Geneva Convention protections......if Iraq was a signatory. And if they wore uniforms etc. etc. etc.

Are you claiming that Iraqis who place IEDs are lawful combatants? Interesting viewpoint.

When we have to apply them to our enemy, no one likes it; however, we certainly want them applied to our service men and women.

And how's that working out? Are American soldiers gaining weight while in Iraqi captivity?

Should any doubt arise as to whether persons, having committed a belligerent act and having fallen into the hands of the enemy, belong to any of the categories enumerated in Article 4,

We disagree about their belonging to these categories.

They could actually be considered civilian, and therefore covered by agreement #4.

If you violated the Convention, I don't think you can be considered a civilian.

[GrandEagle]

Are you claiming that Iraqis who place IEDs are lawful combatants? Interesting viewpoint.
Much like those who place land mines (US). Yes.

We disagree about their belonging to these categories.
I agree that we disagree. Hence the Doubt described earlier in the clause.

If you violated the Convention, I don't think you can be considered a civilian.
In our sense of "fair play"(If there is such a thing in a war) I agree with you, however, the law makes no such statement.

Unless we catch them in the act, we have only our speculation that they are the ones. It my be a pretty good speculation, but it is only speculation. Not in uniform, not caught in combat, not caught "in the act", we have no evidence other than our speculation that they are involved. They could be civilians, with no association to anyone for all we know.
You can't possibly believe that we get it right 100% of the time?
It is war. If we suspect them, arrest them and get them out of the way. No problem. Trying and imposing punishment is another issue altogether though.

Save to say that we have an honest difference of opinion here.

Cordially,
GE