IP: Bush Order: terrorists trials by military commission

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 19:34:42 -0500
> From: tim finin <finin () cs umbc edu>
>
> Bush Order: Terror Trials by Military
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23566-2001Nov13.html
>
> By Ron Fournier, AP White House Correspondent, Nov 13, 2001; 6:00 PM
>
> WASHINGTON. President Bush signed an order Tuesday that would allow
> for the trial of people accused of terrorism by a special military
> commission instead of civilian courts, The Associated Press has
> learned.
>
> The order, signed by Bush before he left for Crawford, Texas, gives
> the Bush administration another avenue to bring the Sept. 11
> terrorists to justice, said White House counsel Albert Gonzales.
>
> "This is a new tool to use against terrorism," Gonzales said in a
> telephone interview. The White House was to release the order late
> Tuesday.
>
> Gonzales, a former Texas Supreme Court judge who is the president's
> top lawyer, said a military commission could have several advantages
> over a civilian court. It is easier to protect the sources and methods
> of investigators in military proceedings, for example, and a military
> trial can be held overseas.
>
> Gonzales said there may be times when prosecutors feel a trial in
> America would be unsafe.
>
> "There may not be a need for this and the president may make a
> determination that he does not want to use this tool, but he felt it
> appropriate that he have this tool available to him," the lawyer said.
>
> © 2001 The Associated Press


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