LG,
The Bush administration announced on 11 July 2006 that all detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in U.S. military custody everywhere are entitled to protections under the Geneva Conventions. This was in response to the 5-3 Supreme Court decision blocking military tribunals set up by President Bush. That decision struck down the tribunals because essentially it was felt they did not obey International law and had not been authorized by Congress. The White House said that the instruction manuals used by the Department of Defense in regard to the treatment of Gitmo prisoners already complied with the humane-treatment provisions of Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, so formal adherence to that convention was not an issue.
Therefore, the sub-plot is that by recognizing the protections under the Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, the Administration is in step with International Law, therefore, the Gitmo detainees can be tried by Military Tribunal. So it is nothing to do with giving them any more 'rights', it is more about taking the Supreme Court decision on the chin and setting the scene for another run at Military Tribunals. After all, if the world sees they are being treated the same as Military POW's, it is but a small step to treat them to the same form of trial. Machiavelli would be very proud if he was around today.