More prison 'horror' to come

By John Hendren
Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned yesterday there will be additional photographs and video images of American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners that would add "horror" to the scandal and conceded that it was "possible" his resignation would ease an international furor.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld apologizes for the mistreatment of prisoners in the U.S.-run Iraq prison. Associated Press

"I feel terrible about what happened to these Iraqi detainees. They're human beings. They were in U.S. custody. Our country had an obligation to treat them right. We didn't, and that was wrong," Rumsfeld said in a command appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "So to those Iraqis who were mistreated by members of the U.S. armed forces, I offer my deepest apology."

Traveling in Wisconsin, President Bush was briefed by aides on Rumsfeld's testimony, but was not monitoring the appearance. Bush called Rumsfeld from Air Force One on a tarmac in LaCrosse, Wis. According to White House press secretary Scott McClellan, Bush told Rumsfeld he did a "really good job" and that the president "appreciated it."

Mingling uncharacteristic words of contrition with his trademark combativeness, Rumsfeld settled in for a day of political confrontation with political allies and rivals in Washington. He was flanked by Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and several other top Pentagon officials who were frequently called to field a barrage of pointed questions in the packed committee rooms.

Following calls for his resignation by dozens of Democrats on Capitol Hill, the congressional testimony was Rumsfeld's most important public appearance to date.

It was intended by the White House not only to demonstrate that the entire chain of command was taking responsibility, but to warn that the new photographs and videos would only fuel the controversy, said an administration official on condition of anonymity. The Pentagon has no plans to release the new images, but said that, like earlier photographs, they could end up being seen by the public.

"If these are released to the public, it's going to make matters worse. It's hard to believe," Rumsfeld said. "It's not a pretty picture."

Rumsfeld took the same message to the House Armed Services Committee later. "Just without any question, there will be more coming out," Rumsfeld said of the photographs, which he said he saw for the first time the night before his congressional appearance. "And there will be surprises."

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., warned of further shocks, saying "the worst is yet to come."

"The American public needs to understand, we're talking about rape and murder here," Graham told reporters in the hallway. "We're not just talking about giving people a humiliating experience; we're talking about rape and murder and some very serious charges."

Military officials who are viewing additional unreleased photos and newly disclosed digital video images said the number and nature of the pictures make them certain to further inflame public opinion.

Rumsfeld viewed portions of one of two compact discs, but did not view the second CD, which included video images.

The nature of the additional images were described as more troublesome than those released publicly to date, said Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita. At least one of the photo images involved oral sex between two people, at least one a detainee, he said.

A video image on the second CD involved what one defense official familiar with the contents described as "an assault."

Intermingled with "appalling and jarring" images are "benign" photos of soldiers in Iraq, Di Rita said. However, he added, "there are definitely pictures that involve sexual activity."

Before the committees, Rumsfeld responded to calls for his ouster by saying he would step down if he could no longer be effective, but would not bow to political pressure.

However, asked by Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., whether his resignation might be the best way to demonstrate the depth of U.S. concern, Rumsfeld responded: "That's possible."

Before both the House and Senate armed services committees, he acknowledged several mistakes — including not keeping the president and Congress fully informed about the abuse case.

Rumsfeld said he had not seen the pictures until they were aired last week on the CBS television program "60 Minutes II," more than three months after they were first reported to the Pentagon. He said he viewed copies of the original photos and the videos for the first time the night before.

Rumsfeld has said he sought the photographs earlier but was told by staff that they were not available, and apparently dropped the subject. He said neither he or Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs, conveyed the seriousness of the incidents at Abu Ghraib prison when they initially discussed it with the president.

"Let me be clear. I failed to recognize how important it was to elevate a matter of such gravity to the highest levels, including the president and the members of Congress," Rumsfeld said.

Dressed down by what aides described as an "unhappy" Bush on Wednesday for his handling of the abuse incidents, Rumsfeld took responsibility yesterday when asked when the president knew of the abuse.

Rumsfeld also said he was appointing several former military officials to review the existing investigations and recommend whether there should be further studies or inquiries. Rumsfeld said afterward they would include James Schlessinger, who was defense secretary under President Nixon; former Rep. Tillie Fowler, R-Fla.; and retired Air Force Gen. Charles A. Horner.

Rumsfeld said the Pentagon would also launch a review of its "habits and procedures," to examine how it reacts to events and how it communicates through its ranks and with other branches of government.

Democrats said Rumsfeld still needed to do more explaining. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., called for Rumsfeld to step down. "We need a new beginning," Kennedy said. "We need a new secretary of defense." He suggested Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.

Hawai'i Democrat Sen. Dan Inouye said a resignation wouldn't repair the damage done to the U.S. image abroad and that a full investigation was needed.

"I would hate to see someone selected to be the fall guy and hoping that everything will disappear after that," Inouye said. "A matter of this nature will not disappear with the hanging of a fall guy."

Hawai'i's other senator, Democrat Daniel Akaka, said, "I am troubled by the apparent lack of accountability by Department of Defense leadership.

"And I remain disturbed by the dismissive attitude exhibited by the civilian leadership in the Pentagon towards this situation which has undermined our military and damaged our country's reputation."

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., a committee member, said Rumsfeld "was appropriately apologetic," but said the Bush administration still does not "fully appreciate the gravity of the challenge we now face due to these incidents. We still have to pursue an investigation vigorously to try to repair the damage to America's image around the world."

Frank Oliveri of the Advertiser Washington Bureau contributed to this report.