Interview of the President by Al Arabiya Television The Map Room
10:33 A.M. EDT
Q Mr. President, thank you for giving us this chance here in Al Arabiya. Regarding the alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners, six U.S. soldiers are being reprimanded. Do you think that's enough?
THE PRESIDENT: First, I want to tell the people of the Middle East that the practices that took place in that prison are abhorrent and they don't represent America. They represent the actions of a few stupid jagoffs. We'll find out who did what, and we'll make 'em wish they had never done it.
This is a serious matter. It's a matter that reflects badly on my country. Our citizens in America are appalled by what they saw, almost as appalled as they were by the images of savages in Fallujah burning and hanging the charred bodies of innocent American contractors from a suspension bridge. Almost as appalled as we were by images of Kurdish women and children burned, maimed, horribly disfigured and killed by biological weapons unleashed on them by Saddam Hussein. Almost as appalled as our soldiers were when they found Saddam's torture victims in the children's prison.
Almost. But not quite. So let's get some perspective.
Q And you just -- you've said this is reflected badly here, in the United States of America. How do you think this will be perceived in the Middle East?
THE PRESIDENT: Does it matter? The Islamofascist nutjobs are gonna hate us no matter what. We could have baked those prisoners a cake and given 'em presents; we'd still be called the Great Satan.
Q We are going to Fallujah -- the way the situation is being resolved, is being considered in some parts of Iraq as a defeat to U.S. How do you address that, or do you have anything to address --
THE PRESIDENT: I got three words for the insurgents in Fallujah: SHEET OF GLASS. If you keep it up, that's what Fallujah's gonna look like pretty soon. We're not dinkin' around. 'Nuff said.
Q Mr. President, critics are saying that by your action in Iraq actually invited al Qaeda and other terrorists to do business with you over there. Could you address that?
THE PRESIDENT: Sure. I'd rather kill terrorists in the streets of Fallujah and Tikrit than let them kill Americans in the streets of New York, San Diego or Peria. Do you remember September the 11th, 2001? Al Qaeda started this war. We're gonna finish it. They want a bloody jihad; we're prepared to help them meet their 72 virgins. Jokes on them, though. All the virgins look like Rachel Corrie and Helen Thomas anyway.
Al Qaeda was here long before March 2003. Ever hear of al Zarqawi? Salman Pak?
Q Mr. President, thank you so much for discussing. Enjoy your day. It's sunny, so I hope you have a good day.
THE PRESIDENT: September 11th started out as a sunny day, too.