SandBox
May 10th, 2004, 23:33
Bush endorses Rumsfeld, vows 'full accounting' of abuse
Last Updated Mon, 10 May 2004 14:48:45
WASHINGTON - U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday promised a "full accounting" of the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers, and stood by his defence secretary, saying he was "doing a superb job."
Bush offered his endorsement of Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld after a meeting at the Pentagon.
Rumsfeld, Bush said, has been "courageously leading our nation in our war against terror … You are a strong secretary of defence and our nation owes you a debt of gratitude."
Calls for Rumsfeld's firing or resignation have echoed around Washington since allegations emerged that U.S. forces had abused and humiliated prisoners at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison.
<b>Last week, Rumsfeld told a Senate committee that he learned about the abuse months ago in an internal military report, but didn't tell either the president or Congress about it. </b>
The allegations erupted in public last week with the publication and broadcast of photographs showing the abuse. Rumsfeld said last week there are many more photographs and even some videos.
The Pentagon is discussing whether the photos should be released, either to the public or to Congress.
Both Bush and Rumsfeld last week offered apologies for the abuse, and on Monday Bush called it "cruel and disgraceful" and an "insult to the Iraqi people."
<b>Those involved, he said, will "answer for their conduct in an orderly and transparent process." </b>
Earlier on Monday, Britain's defence secretary said a decision would be made soon on whether to prosecute British soldiers involved in abusing prisoners.
The first court-martial stemming from the Abu Ghraib abuse allegations will begin in Baghdad next week.
Spc. Jeremy C. Sivits of Hyndman, Pa., will go before a military court less than a month after photos of prisoners being abused and humiliated were first shown on television.
Sivits is one of seven soldiers charged.
Bush also told reporters he has asked Congress for another $25 billion US to continue operations in Iraq.
Written by CBC News Online staff
http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/05/10/world/iraq_bush040510
Last Updated Mon, 10 May 2004 14:48:45
WASHINGTON - U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday promised a "full accounting" of the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers, and stood by his defence secretary, saying he was "doing a superb job."
Bush offered his endorsement of Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld after a meeting at the Pentagon.
Rumsfeld, Bush said, has been "courageously leading our nation in our war against terror … You are a strong secretary of defence and our nation owes you a debt of gratitude."
Calls for Rumsfeld's firing or resignation have echoed around Washington since allegations emerged that U.S. forces had abused and humiliated prisoners at Baghdad's Abu Ghraib prison.
<b>Last week, Rumsfeld told a Senate committee that he learned about the abuse months ago in an internal military report, but didn't tell either the president or Congress about it. </b>
The allegations erupted in public last week with the publication and broadcast of photographs showing the abuse. Rumsfeld said last week there are many more photographs and even some videos.
The Pentagon is discussing whether the photos should be released, either to the public or to Congress.
Both Bush and Rumsfeld last week offered apologies for the abuse, and on Monday Bush called it "cruel and disgraceful" and an "insult to the Iraqi people."
<b>Those involved, he said, will "answer for their conduct in an orderly and transparent process." </b>
Earlier on Monday, Britain's defence secretary said a decision would be made soon on whether to prosecute British soldiers involved in abusing prisoners.
The first court-martial stemming from the Abu Ghraib abuse allegations will begin in Baghdad next week.
Spc. Jeremy C. Sivits of Hyndman, Pa., will go before a military court less than a month after photos of prisoners being abused and humiliated were first shown on television.
Sivits is one of seven soldiers charged.
Bush also told reporters he has asked Congress for another $25 billion US to continue operations in Iraq.
Written by CBC News Online staff
http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/05/10/world/iraq_bush040510