Memo, Powell: an argument for respecting the Geneva Conventions

In a memo to the White House, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell states the advantages of applying the Geneva Conventions far outweighs their rejection. He states that declaring the conventions inapplicable would "reverse over a century of U.S. policy and practice in supporting the Geneva Conventions and undermine the protections of the laws of war for our troops." He also states that it would "undermine public support among critical allies."