Pentagon lawyers gave reporters the texts of eight "instructions" setting out ground rules for the tribunals, or "military commissions," saying they were prepared to proceed "when the president decides to."

The instructions were established a month after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, when Bush signed a decree on "the detention, treatment and trial of certain non-citizens in the war on terrorism."

The military tribunals could sit in the United States or abroad, theoretically including the US Marine base at Guantanamo where more than 650 alleged Taliban and al-Qaeda members from Afghanistan have been held since January 2002.

The military tribunals offer defendants "more flexibility" but fewer legal guarantees than official court martials, said Pentagon officials.

Defendants have a limited right to appeal, and they can be represented by civilian US lawyers.

With court authorization, defendants can petition for access to confidential information to use in their defense, said a Pentagon official.

Unlike courts martial, the military tribunals would be held in public.

Officials said the rules would not apply to Iraqis arrested during the war in Iraq, except for "international terrorists captured in Iraq."

SPACE.WIRE