| Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, November 14, 2001 |
Bush Signs Order to Allow Military Trials for Terror Suspects |
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U.S. President George W. Bush signed an order on Tuesday allowing the trial of foreign terrorist suspects before a special military commission.
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U.S. President George W. Bush signed an order on Tuesday allowing the trial of foreign terrorist suspects before a special military commission.
"I have determined that an extraordinary emergency exists for national defense purposes, that this emergency constitutes an urgent and compelling government interest, and that issuance of this order is necessary to meet the emergency," Bush said in the order.
It was necessary "to protect the United States and its citizens, and for the effective conduct of military operations and prevention of terrorist attacks", he said.
Under the new order, Bush could establish a military commission in the future by asking the secretary of defense to establish the rules for one.
"This is a new tool to use against terrorism," White House Counsel Albert Gonzales said.
Gonzales, the president's top lawyer, said a military commission could have several advantages over a civilian court, including secrecy and security.
"The president thinks it can be a helpful option now in bringing al Qaeda suspects to justice," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters.
The United States has not convened such a tribunal since World War II. At that time President Franklin D. Roosevelt used special military commissions to try German saboteurs and terrorists.
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