[punky]

You can be a terrorist and still part of a legitimate army. The Taliban became terrorists when they gave Old Bin Liner sanctuary in their country.

With the Gulf War II, all three Husseins were terrorists because of the way they run their country (part of the Axis Of Evil), but the army was implicated because they did what they asked them to do. I know if they refused they would of gone into the plastic shredder feet first (Galloway ought to rememeber that), but as soon as they engaged the coalition, they became instruments of the terrorist regime, like the Taliban did.

But I don't think the Geneva Convention would apply here, because like Damien said, they are always hooded, they aren't being paraded to be humiliated, etc. Even if they did, I don't suppose anything would happen. I mean they did it multiple times back in March-April 2003, even after being warned. But you can't expect anything to be done about it, it is enforced by the UN. Annan has never done anything to earn his $290,000 a year salary.

On the upside though bin Laden has threatened to kill Annan, and some (what looks like) 17 year old work experience boy gave a press interview saying: "We are taking the threat very seriously (once authenticated)", so, Annan might get replaced soon, maybe with someone who'd take his job seriously.

Oh and Tez: Good point about the "illegal combatants" phrase.