Lindsey Graham: “I thank Senator Stevens for allowing me to do this. I appreciate that we have a busy day. I totally understand where he…”

“I thank Senator Stevens for allowing me to do this. I appreciate that we have a busy day. I totally understand where he is coming from about the interrogation amendment. I come out on a different side. This amendment deals with the combat status review procedure at Guantanamo Bay. I think it is very necessary. I think it strengthens what the administration is trying to do when it comes to enemy combatants. I think it helps the administration in court and is good policy for the country. No. 1, I totally agree with the President that a member of al-Qaida should not be given Geneva Conventions status. I say to my friend from Alaska that Senator McCain's amendment doesn't confer Geneva Conventions status on enemy combatants. It standardizes the interrogation techniques. The Army Field Manual has a section for lawful combatants, those covered under the Geneva Conventions, and it will have a provision for unlawful combatants. Al-Qaida should not be given Geneva Conventions status. The Geneva Conventions and the signatories to the convention set the rules for the conduct of war. An unlawful enemy combatant is someone who goes around the battlefield without a uniform, doesn't represent a nation--a terrorist, for lack of a better word. They do not deserve the protection of the Geneva Conventions because they are cheating. But they do, in my opinion, deserve what the President said--not so much because they deserve it but because it is about who we are.…”