Mr. Speaker, the rules of international conventions were signed precisely so that they would apply during conflicts. Despite the most recent statements made by the Americans in an attempt to convince the world that they will respect the Geneva conventions as they apply to the status of prisoners taken in Afghanistan, there have been calls—from the International Red Cross in particular—not to defend the terrorists, as the Prime Minister claims, but to clarify the situation.
What does the Deputy Prime Minister have to say to the Red Cross, which is asking serious questions about the status accorded by Canada and the United States to prisoners taken in Afghanistan?