Rumsfeld backs Iraq interrogation methods

Now we are treated to this:

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld defended military interrogation techniques in Iraq on Wednesday, rejecting complaints that they violate international rules and may endanger Americans taken prisoner.

But also this:

Rumsfeld replied that the Geneva Convention applies to all prisoners held in Iraq, but not to those held in Guantanamo Bay, where detainees captured in the global war on terror are held.

Any al-Qaida or Taliban personnel taken prisoner are to be treated consistent with the Geneva Convention, under a decision made by Bush, Rumsfeld added.

A fine case of double-speak. Either that or perhaps he truly believes the S& M techniques used in Iraq are Geneva Conventions compliant. If that's the case, then he should lend a hand to those soldiers being court-martialed. I think he's getting more brazen with twisting perceptions.

The other shocker is what he said about Guantanamo Bay, which is apparently beyond Geneva Convention. Repeating:

"Rumsfeld replied that the Geneva Convention applies to all prisoners held in Iraq, but not to those held in Guantanamo Bay, where detainees captured in the global war on terror are held. "

I'm not quite sure what rules "consistent with the Geneva Convention" would mean. It's clear it's not the same but this lawyerly tapdancing is extremely alarming.