“ Rumsfeld praised the review panelists for their lives in public service. "These gentlemen who have agreed to serve on this panel and in each case, have devoted a good chunk of their lives to public service in one way or another," he said. "And each of the individuals is a person of great ability, broad experience -- varied experience, I would add -- executive experience, legislative experience, judicial experience. And each is known for their independence and their integrity." ”

“ The panel may consider written and oral arguments by the defense, the prosecution and the government of the nation of which the accused is a citizen.
The review panel has term limits, members can be removed only for good cause, and there is no chance for re-appointment. Their opinions will be published and have precedental value, officials said.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld cited the difference between military commissions today and those in the past. "Over the decades, military commissions have been used to prosecute enemy combatants accused of violating the laws of war," he said. ”

“ In the global war on terrorism, however, we're faced not with uniformed personnel from armies, navies and air forces, but enemies without countries often who wear no uniforms, often who carry no visible weapons and, in many cases, who do not abide by the normal conventions of warfare. ”