Defying Bush, Senate panel clears terrorism tribunals bill

WASHINGTON, Sep 14 (Reuters) Defying President George W Bush, a US Senate committee today approved legislation setting up trials for foreign terrorism suspects that Bush says could compromise the war on terrorism.

Voting 15-9, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved the bill they said would provide suspects more legal rights than Bush wanted and resisted his attempt to more narrowly define the Geneva Conventions' standards for humane treatment of prisoners.

Reuters VJ VP0150