So why issue the statement if all its doing is re-affirming that we can't prosecute them for war crimes? By the way, I doubt one in a hundred people fighting us right now care either way.
I'n not sure. Aside from politics, the statement may be issued because we frequently label them all terrorists. Maybe its even good news, with Iraqs native insurgents/terrorists trying to distance themselves from al-Qaedas after their screw up in Jordan.