Rumsfeld Apologizes to Iraqi Prisoners

Rumsfeld Apologizes to Iraqi Prisoners
By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on Friday extended "my deepest apology" to Iraqi prisoners abused by U.S. military personnel and told Congress he accepts full responsibility for the shocking events.

"These events occurred on my watch. As Secretary of Defense, I am accountable for them. I take full responsibility," Rumsfeld told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Rumsfeld took the witness chair after a week of controversy over the photographs of U.S. captors abusing their prisoners, often forcing them to assume sexually humiliating poses. Several Democratic lawmakers have demanded his resignation.

Sen. John Warner, R-Va., said the committee needed to know "who knew what when, what they did about it, and why were members of Congress not properly and adequately informed."

Rumsfeld had scarcely uttered his opening apology when protesters interrupted him.

"Fire Rumsfeld," some yelled before they were hustled from the room.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040507/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_prisoner_abuse&cid=542&ncid=1480

his head on a platter.

He should go to the prison in Iraq and apologize to the prisoners.

I'm so sick of the media saying that * apologized -- now they're doing it w/ Fumsreld, too. * apologized to the King of Jordan and to the cameras. Fumsreld apologized to the machete-sharpening crowd. It's not enough.

"to the cameras" :puke:

This is a complete farce and these criminals should be serving hard time in the prison of their making - with the guards and interrogators that they have created.

:mad:

but i can't share the optimism of many of you.
After millions marched and protested b4 the war NOTHING changed.
What makes us believe this will be different?

prisoner abuses

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20040507-0908-us-prisonerabuse.html

excerpt:

According to Rumsfeld, the U.S. has more photos showing "blatantly sadistic, cruel," acts against Iraq POWs.

His appearance was interrupted by an anti-Rumsfeld protest in which demonstrators chanted "fire Rumsfeld," before being escorted from the hearing room.

The U.S. secretary said compensation will be offered to victims of prisoner abuse, saying he failed to recognize the "gravity," of the POW scandal.

Rumsfeld called for the formation of a special commission to investigate.

...more...

I don't know about anybody else, but I am weary of "commissions" that are not open and exposed to the public view and that the results never filter out in time for people to understand the gravity of the situtations.

been reduced to a tiny crack in the door, it was apparently enough for these protesters to squeeze in and get their voices heard.

This isn't the first time Rum has been exposed to protesters. Before the march to war, several brave women appeared with a banner decorated with bloody handprints. They meant that he and Wolfowitz have 'blood on their hands'. Which they go.

Get him out.

But, then, he only apologized for abuse, not for torture.

Will someone on the Committee push him on 'abuse' vs. 'torture'?

..there is always a fall guy for those people. When, exactly, will Bush take responsibility for ANYTHING????????????????