Coalition putting NGOs at risk in Afghanistan -EU

"She said military vehicles do not use green number plates reserved for aid groups, but there had been a recent case where they were used by a Western security company whose non-uniformed staff were driving around Kabul with sub-machineguns.

An EU official also complained that U.S. forces distribute leaflets promising Afghans humanitarian aid in return for information on Taliban and al Qaeda militants."

(a) The mercenaries in the first paragraph are presumably "illegal combatants", since they have no identifying marks (this seems to be Rumsfeld's argument for those held in Guantanamo, even though they were not necessarily found armed). They are presumably subject to indefinite detention by the Taliban, and torture, going by the standard set in Baghram and Guantanamo.

(b) The second paragraph is surely against the Geneva Convention (witholding humanitarian aid). Another war crime to add to the list?

The question I would have is, Who is responsible for their conduct? Who is the responsible authority? Is Afghanistan a war zone? Under Occupation? Hmmm.

there was a story a couple of years ago, where the Administration wasn't going to cooperate with NGOs unless the NGOs took POLITICAL stands SUPPORTING the Administration.

* and his cohorts are an evil group.