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US deal struck on terror suspects US deal struck on terror suspects
(40 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has reached a deal with Republican senators on a controversial bill setting rules for the interrogation of terror suspects.US President George W Bush has reached a deal with Republican senators on a controversial bill setting rules for the interrogation of terror suspects.
Mr Bush said the agreement would allow his administration to resume military tribunals, suspended since June.Mr Bush said the agreement would allow his administration to resume military tribunals, suspended since June.
Last week a Senate committee backed a milder bill granting broader protection to suspects.Last week a Senate committee backed a milder bill granting broader protection to suspects.
Rebel Republicans had demanded a provision making it clear that torture of suspects would be barred.Rebel Republicans had demanded a provision making it clear that torture of suspects would be barred.
President Bush said the agreement would preserve a programme that would "help us crack the terror network to save American lives".President Bush said the agreement would preserve a programme that would "help us crack the terror network to save American lives".
"The measure also creates military commissions that will bring these ruthless killers to justice," said Mr Bush, adding that he hoped Congress would send him the legislation before it concludes its business next week."The measure also creates military commissions that will bring these ruthless killers to justice," said Mr Bush, adding that he hoped Congress would send him the legislation before it concludes its business next week.
'Moral qualms''Moral qualms'
The committee had defied the president, rejecting the legislation to set up trials for foreign terrorism suspects and arguing that it could allow torture and put Americans at risk of similar mistreatment.The committee had defied the president, rejecting the legislation to set up trials for foreign terrorism suspects and arguing that it could allow torture and put Americans at risk of similar mistreatment.
Ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell backed Republicans opposing the measure sponsored by Mr Bush, saying that the international community was beginning to doubt the moral basis of the US "war on terror".Ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell backed Republicans opposing the measure sponsored by Mr Bush, saying that the international community was beginning to doubt the moral basis of the US "war on terror".
In June, the US Supreme Court ruled that the administration did not have the authority to try terrorism suspects by military tribunal, forcing the president to seek Congressional approval.
The controversy centred on the content of the evidence that can be seen by detainees and interrogation methods.The controversy centred on the content of the evidence that can be seen by detainees and interrogation methods.
Senators had argued Mr Bush's proposals would effectively redefine the Geneva Conventions to allow harsh treatment of detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba.Senators had argued Mr Bush's proposals would effectively redefine the Geneva Conventions to allow harsh treatment of detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay camp in Cuba.
Some 460 suspects are believed to be held at the highly criticised detention centre.Some 460 suspects are believed to be held at the highly criticised detention centre.
The BBC's James Westhead in Washington says it appears that concessions were made on both sides.The BBC's James Westhead in Washington says it appears that concessions were made on both sides.
Whilst the White House says the CIA's interrogation programmes will continue, for example, it seems there will be clearer guidelines meeting the Geneva convention, for instance prohibiting outrages against personal dignity.Whilst the White House says the CIA's interrogation programmes will continue, for example, it seems there will be clearer guidelines meeting the Geneva convention, for instance prohibiting outrages against personal dignity.
Correspondents said a deal was probably reached in part because a split within the party risked damaging its prospects in November's mid-term elections.Correspondents said a deal was probably reached in part because a split within the party risked damaging its prospects in November's mid-term elections.