WALSH DIFFERS WITH PRESIDENT'S PLAN REGARDING TREATMENT OF PRISONERS AND DETAINEES
Four House Centrists Urge Full U.S. Maintenance of Geneva Convention Terms

(Washington D.C.)- Congressman Jim Walsh signed onto a letter to House Republican leaders indicating his support for S. 3901, the Military Commissions Act, legislation ensuring the United States fully maintains its commitment to the Geneva Convention.  The legislation opposes President Bush's recent proposal to forgo Geneva Convention and War Crimes Act provisions in the detention and treatment, interrogation, and eventual trial of foreign suspects and prisoners.

"By throwing out the internationally-agreed upon terms of the Geneva Convention regarding the treatment of foreign prisoners, the United States risks alienating its allies and subjecting its own troops to inhumane treatment in future armed conflicts or wars," said Walsh.  "In addition, it's wrong for a nation built on a foundation of personal liberties and justice to torture any human being in detainment.  I fully support our efforts to defeat terrorists, but the President is simply wrong on this issue."

Late yesterday, Representative Walsh - along with House centrist colleagues Chris Shays of Connecticut, Mike Castle of Delaware, and Jim Leach of Iowa - sent a letter to House of Representatives leadership expressing support for the principles of a plan laid out by Senators John McCain of Arizona, John Warner of Virginia, and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina - all former members of the military - in S. 3901.

The Senate provisions are consistent with the newly issued U.S. Army Field Manual on Interrogation.  "How we treat individuals says a great deal about our nation as the world's leading democratic society," added Walsh.  "The United States should not disavow international convention even though we are in a very difficult war against militant Islamic fundamentalism."

The Military Commission Act has been a recent source of contention between Congress and the White House with administration officials urging for greater definition of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Convention.  Previously, Walsh parted ways with party leaders and the President last year to vote for an amendment in the FY 2006 Defense Appropriations bill banning torture and inhumane treatment of wartime prisoners.

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