NEWS TRANSCRIPT from the United States Department of Defense
DoD News Briefing
Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld
Friday, February 08, 2002 - 1:30 p.m. EST

(Also participating: General Richard Myers, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff)


Q : Mr. Secretary, you mentioned one of the principles from the Geneva Convention that soldiers should be distinguishable from civilian populations. But isn't it true that you have Special Forces in Afghanistan have grown beards, they're not wearing insignia uniform? And how would you feel if a member of the U.S. Special Forces -- God forbid -- were captured in Afghanistan, but were treated humanely, would you object if they were not given prisoner of war status?

RUMSFELD : The short answer is that U.S. Special Forces -- I don't know that there's any law against growing a beard. I mean, that's kind of a strange question.

Q: Yeah, what about not wearing insignia?

RUMSFELD : What's wrong with growing a beard?

Q : Well, not wearing insignia, not --

RUMSFELD : Wait! Wait! Wait! You asked it, I'll answer it.

They do wear insignia, they do wear uniforms. Those photographs you saw of US Special Forces on horseback, they were in the official uniform of the United States Army, and they wear insignia and they do carry their weapons openly, and they do behave as soldiers. That's the way they're taught, that's what they do.

They may have a beard, they may put a scarf over their head if there's a stand storm, but there's no rule against that.

They certainly deserve all of the rights and privileges that would accrue to somebody who is obeying the laws and customs of war. And they carry a card. You've probably got one in your pocket right now, of their Geneva Convention circumstance.