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Washington DC Office
555 Dirksen Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Ph: 202.224.6342
Fax: 202.224.1100
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Raleigh Office:
310 New Bern Avenue
Suite 122
Raleigh, NC 27601
Ph: 919.856.4630
Fax: 919.856.4053
Salisbury Office:
225 North Main Street
Suite 304
Salisbury, NC 28144
Ph: 704.633.5011
Fax: 704.633.2937
Western Office:
401 North Main Street
Suite 200
Hendersonville, NC 28792
Ph: 828.698.3747
Fax: 828.698.1267
Eastern Office:
306 South Evans Street
Greenville, NC 27835
Ph: 252.329.1093
Fax: 252.329.1097
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Press Office - Speeches
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STATEMENT AT SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE HEARING ON MISTREATMENT OF IRAQI PRISONERS
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listen to Radio Clip
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May 7th, 2004 - Chairman Warner, Senator Levin, thank you for arranging this very important hearing in such an expeditious manner. I wish to echo the sentiments of my colleagues-- and the American people-- by saying that I am extremely disappointed that any American, and especially one in uniform, would mistreat or humiliate another human being and commit such atrocious acts. The acts depicted in those photographs, shown around the world, do not in any way represent the values of the United States or her Armed Forces. I know our military men and women serve their country with honor.
The abuse of these Iraqi detainees is a serious issue not just because it violated human rights; it also tarnished our nation’s credibility. Furthermore, the inflammatory actions of a few have provided our enemies with a lucrative venue to question American values and our true intentions in this War on Terror. Unfortunately, a breakdown of discipline combined with a handful of morally deficient individuals has resulted in serious implications for our national security…and to the security of the over 130,000 service members that are striving to accomplish our goals in Iraq.
Over the past year, through dedication and sacrifice -- and I must emphasize, strong military leadership -- our soldiers have made incredible breakthroughs. The United States and its allies have freed 50 million people from oppressive regimes, removed credible threats to our nation’s security, destroyed burgeoning terrorist incubators, and set two countries on the path to democratic and free-market reform. In Iraq, 2600 schools have been rehabilitated and now more than 5.5 million children are enriching their minds, free from the corruption of a repressive regime and its teachings. Women now have a voice in their own government. All 240 hospitals in Iraq are open. More than 1,200 clinics have been established. And on the streets and in the countryside, each day, our military medical professionals offer assistance to the citizens of Iraq in addition to caring for their own. After 30 years of being denied the most fundamental freedoms, today more than 170 independent newspapers are currently operating throughout Iraq… providing each member of that country an opportunity to participate in free and robust debate -- and yes, the opportunity to view those horrendous pictures from Abu Ghraib. Trust among the Iraqi people had slowly been established, bonds have been made - - and sadly, for now, many of those bonds have been broken.
This legislative body is absolutely correct in focusing on the root causes behind these instances of prisoner abuse and doing everything within its power to ensure that such abuse never happens again. And I would expect no less from the Department of Defense to do the same. Transparency is of the utmost importance to our nation’s credibility and security.
Fundamental to our success in the global War on Terror is winning the hearts and minds of freedom loving people who were held captive by a violent few. We are not company to that violent element and denounce anyone who is.
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