Saddam to get Geneva privileges
2003-12-15 10:49
Washington - The United States promised late on Sunday that captured former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein will accorded privileges stemming from the Geneva Conventions, even though he has so far refused to co-operate with his interrogators.
But US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld stopped short of saying the ousted Iraqi leader who has been eluding US troops for nine months will be granted formal prisoner of war status.
Instead, he said the issue of Saddam Hussein's future will be determined in consultations with US coalition partners after thorough legal analysis of the situation.
"Those are judgements that will be made by lawyers as we go along," Rumsfeld said as he appeared on CBS's "60 Minutes" program.
He assured that the former president's "treatment will be governed by the Geneva conventions," adding that "he will be accorded the privileges as if he were a prisoner of war."
The comments raised questions whether US intelligence agencies will be able to seriously mine Saddam Hussein for information because under the Geneva Conventions, he is obligated to give his captors only his name, date of birth, and regimental serial number.
Under the accords, every captured fighter is entitled to humane treatment, including shelter, clothing, food and medical attention.
Actions that could be seen as "humiliating and degrading" to a prisoner are not allowed.
Even those suspected of war crimes cannot be subjected to torture or corporal punishment.