06 May 2004

by Anai Rhoads

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AnaiRhoads.org - Although U.S. President George Bush was appalled by the recently publicised images of Iraqi prisoners being violated by American troops, he failed to openly apologise.

In a political "save-face", Bush spoke to Arab TV Wednesday evening to express his concern and outrage over the now infamous Abu Ghraib prison photographs.

Bush appeared uncomfortable during the first minutes of the interview, as the interviewer commented on the similarities between the U.S. and Saddam, stating that most Arabs now believe the U.S. employs torture for sport.

"I think people in the Middle East who want to dislike America will use this as an excuse to remind people about their dislike," Bush told the Dubai based satellite channel Al-Arabiya television during his second interview, "The people in the Middle East must understand that this was horrible."

However, some responded bitterly to Bush's comments, seeing them as only a subtle concern.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is not satisfied with how the case was handled, "Instead of getting a slap on the wrist, everyone who took part in or permitted these horrific acts needs to serve time in prison," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "This scandal must be investigated by Congress to determine the true extent of the abuse and to learn whether the abuses were in fact part of a widespread pattern of human rights violations in U.S. detention facilities worldwide."

The international Red Cross was aware of the abuses in the prison and had repeatedly requested assistance by U.S. authorities, only to be ignored.

Throwing the core of the blame on Defence Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, Bush was said to have had stern discussions with Rumsfeld according to a few White House aides. Several media reports say Rumsfeld was aware of the Abu Ghraib abuses but did not share the information with the President. Bush claims he only became aware of the incidents as they were broadcasted on the news. However, Rumsfeld maintains he did not have prior knowledge of the photos.

"As Secretary of Defence, Mr. Rumsfeld bears ultimate responsibility for the brutal and humiliating actions of American troops and for the poor handling of the scandal by the military establishment. He must also take responsibility for fostering an atmosphere in which the traditional rules of war and norms of international law are treated as excess baggage," a spokesman for CAIR said Thursday.

"With responsibility comes accountability. Secretary Rumsfeld and his entire management team must put America's interests first by resigning their posts. If he and his top advisors do not resign, they should be removed by President Bush. No other action could possibly help mitigate the devastating impact this scandal has had on our nation's image worldwide."

Presidential hopeful Senator John Kerry was not satisfied with Bush's Arab TV interview, stating, "The president of the United States needs to offer the world an explanation and needs to take appropriate responsibility, which includes apologising for the behaviour of those soldiers."

Condoleezza Rice, Rumsfeld and the commander of prison operations in Iraq, Major General Geoffrey Miller, were among several who apologised for the prison abuses.

During the post-interview press conference, White House press secretary Scott McClellan was asked why bush did not apologise outright for the maltreatment of the Iraqi prisoners, he replied, "I'm saying it (sorry) now for him."

The photos, unapologetic stance, and U.S./Iraqi death-toll in Iraq has Bush in the hot seat just six months before elections.

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