US Rice Speaks On Arab TV About Prisoner Abuse

AP via Dow Jones | 5/4/04 | AP Staff

[BunnySlippers]

US Rice Speaks On Arab TV About Prisoner Abuse

BEIRUT (AP)--Seeking to limit the damage from a scandal on the abuse of Iraqi prisoners in U.S. custody, U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice took to Arab airwaves Tuesday to appeal for trust from a skeptical public.

"We have a democratic system that holds people accountable for their actions," Rice said on the popular all-news Al-Jazeera satellite television station, which is widely seen across the Arab world and by Arab and Muslim communities elsewhere.

"The president guarantees that those who did that be held accountable," Rice said in remarks dubbed into Arabic by the station.

"We have an open and transparent system, and people will see that we are determined to get to the truth and to find out whether this issue was widespread," she said.

Rice was also appearing on other regional television stations late Tuesday. The sexual humiliation of prisoners photographed in the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad has drawn worldwide condemnation and further fueled anti-American feelings in the Arab world.

Just as the U.S. tries to curry favor in Iraq while it fights an insurgency against its occupation, Iraqis have been outraged by the photos, apparently showing Iraqis stripped naked and sexually humiliated by their guards. Iraq's U.S.-appointed human rights minister, Abdul-Basat al-Turki, said Tuesday he has resigned to protest the abuses.

Earlier Tuesday in the heart of the Lebanese capital, a small group of men and women held a demonstration outside the U.N. House to protest the abuse of Iraqi prisoners.

A woman held a poster showing one of the pictures of abused prisoners and the words - in English - "Human Rights of U.S.A." Another banner read: "American Democracy."

Marwan Fares, a leftist Lebanese legislator, asked what the American people would do if soldiers of another country abused U.S. prisoners in a similar manner.

"Would they accept what the American soldiers are committing?" he asked.

[sam_paine]

"Would they accept what the American soldiers are committing?" he asked.

Jeez. What the hell did Dr. Rice just say? "NO!" That's the point! Obviously they don't get it, but CAN they!?!?!?!

[Numbers Guy]

Marwan Fares, a leftist Lebanese legislator, asked what the American people would do if soldiers of another country abused U.S. prisoners in a similar manner.

Does he/she mean the way Saddam's people abused U.S. prisoners, or the way they slipped Scott Speicher down the memory hole?

[kjam22]

Best answer possible is to simply say.... "I have always been opposed to the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy that the Clinton administration initiated in the military. I think this demonstrates why."

Then let the PC crowd fight it out. :)

[DoughtyOne]

Marwan Fares, a leftist Lebanese legislator, asked what the American people would do if soldiers of another country abused U.S. prisoners in a similar manner. "Would they accept what the American soldiers are committing?" he asked.

Smart guy. We don't except it when our guys do it. Duh! What part of investigation and punishment do you not grasp there Mr. Fares?

[Bigg Red]

btt

[RightWhale]

We have an open and transparent system

A system with no philosophy and no name.

[avg_freeper]

Marwan Fares, a leftist Lebanese legislator, asked what the American people would do if soldiers of another country abused U.S. prisoners in a similar manner.

"Would they accept what the American soldiers are committing?" he asked.

Do they mean as apposed to their option (B). beating, hacking, and burning us to death, dismembering our bodies, dragging the pieces through town, and then hanging what's left of us up as piñatas for our loved ones to see?

Hmmm... Well after thinking about it I guess I’d have to pick (A). the standing around nude bit instead.

[BunnySlippers]

Hmmm... Well after thinking about it I guess I’d have to pick (A). the standing around nude bit instead.

Yes ... but that Muslim prisoner this morning attested that the nudity was worse.

[kjam22]

Yes ... but that Muslim prisoner this morning attested that the nudity was worse.

Ranks right up there with eating bacon?

[mudblood]

"Jeez..."

We shouldn't bother talking to them or with them. If we say, "here's some gold for you" and hand them some gold, they'll just reply, "Gold that you stole from us!" If we give them a big juicy steak and an X-box, they'd just say, "Ahh, steak - you are trying to give us heart disease! And this X-box? You didn't even give us any games with it, you vermin!" Screw them and the pile of humiliated prisoners they rode in on.

[freedom9]

True

[freedom9]

"Best answer possible is to simply say.... "I have always been opposed to the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy that the Clinton administration initiated in the military. I think this demonstrates why." Then let the PC crowd fight it out. :)"

true

[An.American.Expatriate]

I've seen your posts on several threads now and I'm still not certain what your message is!

You seem to be saying the the US is morally bankrupt and unable to lead.

Is this a fair analysis of your position?? I am truly interested in your point of view!!

[kevkrom]

Yes ... but that Muslim prisoner this morning attested that the nudity was worse.

That must be one seriously fugly dude, then...

[RightWhale]

It does appear so. Thinking everything is okay is self-deception. This is the time when strong leadership is required. If our system is open and transparent the President should lay it all out, including specifying the punishment for the perps and their commanders. This cannot be tolerated or be seen as being tolerated. The moral high ground is the battleground and we have given up the moral high ground.

[kevkrom]

If our system is open and transparent the President should lay it all out, including specifying the punishment for the perps and their commanders.

Problem is, our system has a set of rules and procedures. The President can't just unilaterally hand out punishment to soldiers -- the open and transparent part is that the soldiers involved will be treated as specified in the UCMJ, including disciplinary hearings and/or courts martial, as appropriate, and any punsihments meted out.

[RightWhale]

The President needs to break into prime time TV and state the facts. If is simply stating just what you said, that's what it will be. He needs to acknowlege the situation. The country cannot let this slide by quietly or with a statement from a Cabinet member. It must come from the CIC.

[Jorge]

A woman held a poster showing one of the pictures of abused prisoners and the words - in English - "Human Rights of U.S.A." Another banner read: "American Democracy."

Were these people protesting while Saddam's thugs raped, tortured and murdered close to half a million Iraqis?

[sheik yerbouty]

Obviously Allah has not blessed him...