Gen. Tommy Franks – the lead U.S. commander in Iraq – might declare the war won as early as today, defense sources say.
Such a declaration is a technicality which would make U.S. forces the occupying power in Iraq – and bring new humanitarian obligations under the Geneva Convention.
Among other things, the obligations relate to health, food, education, government and administration.
The treaty has some specific rules about how the United States should treat humanitarian groups like the Red Crescent and Red Cross – and also sets obligations for dealing with matters of crime and punishment.