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Bush supports Rumsfeld as new abuse videos emerge
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Bush examined new photos and video clips of American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners yesterday, reacting with
reducing "deep disgust and disbelief" during a Pentagon visit in which he underscored his support for embattled Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
G. S. Senate's top Democrat spoke yesterday at Kansas State University about the Bush administration. See story on page 6A.
minsited. The president spent the morning in damage-control mode at the Pentagon, where he convened an extraordinary gathering of top military, diplomatic, legal and intelligence advisors.
Seeking to douse speculation about Rumsfeld's future, Bush stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the secretary — along with Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, CIA Director George Tenet and other civilian and military officials — to offer a testimonial before television cameras. Then Bush went behind closed doors to view about two-dozen video clips and photos
"The president's reaction was one of deep disgust and disbelief that anyone who wears our uniform would engage in such shameful and apalling acts."
showing U.S. soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners.
Scott McClellan White House spokesman
Rumsfeld's spokesman, Larry Di Rita, called the images "disturbing," and said they showed humiliation of prisoners as well as "inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature." They were consistent with what has been seen in photographs published around the world in recent days, Di Rita said.
"The president's reaction was one of deep disgust and disbelief that anyone who wears our uniform would engage in such shameful and appalling acts." White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. "It does not represent our United States military and it does not represent the
Bush said in his public remarks, "The conduct that has come to light is an insult to the Iraqi people and an affront to the most basic standards of morality and decency."
United States of America."
The Pentagon has not yet decided whether to make the videos public, and White House officials repeatedly sidestepped questions about the president's opinion on that subject. Bush twice ignored reporters' questions about the matter.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld testified at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on prisoner abuse in Iraq last Friday on Capitol Hill.
about the McClellan did say the administration was seeking a way to share them with Congress, so lawmakers can "carry out their oversight responsibility."
A highly unusual gathering of Bush officials at the Pentagon illustrated the gravity of the prisonabuse controversy.
Rumsfeld stood on one side of Bush, Cheney on the other. Cheney left the Pentagon ahead of Bush to campaign in New Hampshire and Maine.
Chiefs of Staff; Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs; John Negroponte, the new U.S. ambassador to Iraq, and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Woolowitz
Also on hand were Powell; National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and her deputy, Stephen Hadley; White House chief of staff Andy Card, CIA Director Tenet; Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint
Above all, Bush wanted to stand behind Hmns, who faced new
questions about his fitness to serve.
"You are courageously leading our nation in the war against terror." Bush said.
The Army Times, a Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper read by a quarter-million troops around
the world, said in an editorial that responsibility for the abuse lies at the highest levels of the Pentagon, including Rumsfeld and Myers. Both men are guilty of "professional negligence," the editorial said.
Palestinian Authority announces upcoming elections
The Associated Press
RAMALLAH, West Bank The Palestinian Authority decided yesterday to hold its first local elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, bowing to pressure to end chaos and corruption plaguing many Palestinian towns.
The increasing anarchy persuaded a reluctant Yasser Arafat to allow the vote, the first electoral test of his government in eight years.
eight years.
Early today, six Israeli tanks and 10 jeeps entered Gaza City, residents said. Soldiers traded
gunfire with militants. The military said the operation was aimed at the "terrorist infrastructure" of the city. Hospital officials said two civilians were wounded.
two civilians were in the town. The elections are to be held in stages in coming months, with the first to take place in the West Bank town of Jericho by late August.
August. The Cabinet said an Israeli troop withdrawal from Palestinian population centers is not a prerequisite for the local vote, removing an obstacle that has thwarted elections before.
However, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia reiterated yesterday that legislative and presidential elections could take place only after Israeli troopsleave. Hesaida Junedeadline set by his government is unrealistic.
unrealistic.
Qureia said he would instead ask the Quartet of Mideast mediators—the United States, Russia, the United Nations and the European Union—to propose a date, apparently to prod Israel to withdraw its troops and remove roadblocks.
He said he would raise the idea in a meeting with Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser, in Berlin next week.
against Israel.
Sharon's plan, which was rejected by his Likud Party, irked Palestinians, who fear Israel is trying to impose a border and grab large chunks of the West Bank.
Elections are needed to counter Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's claim he does not have a Palestinian negotiating partner, Qureia said.
"We cannot set a date because of the occupation," Qureia said after yesterday's Cabinet meeting. "We will call on the Quartet to suggest or propose a new date so we can put an end to (people saying) there ... is no partner" for peace.
The Palestinians held their only general elections in 1996 as part of an interim peace deal with Israel.
Palestinian Authority is not cracking down on violent groups responsible for deadly attacks against Israelis.
peace. Sharon has been pushing for a unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and four West Bank settlements, charging that he does not have a Palestinian partner, because the
israel. Arafat was overwhelmingly elected Palestinian Authority president, while his Fatah movement won a majority in the 88-
Elections in 2001 were postponed after the outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian violence.
It is assumed Arafat would be re-elected, despite widespread dissatisfaction with his handling of the conflict with Israel, the collapse of the Palestinian economy and rampant official corruption and mismanagement.
Israeli and U.S. efforts to sideline Arafat have only contributed to his continued appeal.
Many Palestinians also consider him a unifying force and fear his ouster could unleash bloody factional fighting.