[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 51 (Monday, March 31, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ERNIE FLETCHER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 31, 2003

  Mr. FLETCHER. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, March 27, 2003, despite all 
my efforts, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present for rollcall 
vote No. 91, on H. Con. Res. 118, Concerning the Treatment of Members 
of the Armed Forces Held as Prisoner of War by Iraqi Authorities, I 
would have voted as follows: rollcall vote No. 91--``aye.''
  As the United States Armed Forces and its international allies 
continue to liberate the oppressed Iraqi people from the tyranny of 
Saddam Hussein, we pause today to recognize their bravery and 
professionalism. In addition, Congress extends heartfelt sympathies to 
the families of servicemembers who have been injured, killed, or taken 
prisoner in Iraq.
  For more than 50 years, the Third Geneva Convention has prescribed 
guidelines for the proper and humane treatment of prisoners of war. 
Sadly, Iraq--which has agreed to abide by the Third Geneva Convention--
views these international standards with the same callousness and 
disregard for human life that Saddam Hussein's murderous regime has 
demonstrated for decades. Iraqi troops unwilling to die for a corrupt, 
diabolical regime can be comforted by the fact that American and 
coalition forces will treat prisoners of war humanely, supplying them 
with food, shelter, and medical assistance--in other words, treating 
them in full compliance with the Third Geneva Convention.
  Iraqi television recently has broadcast, in direct violation of the 
Third Geneva Convention, footage of American Prisoners of War. I join 
my colleagues in thanking America's brave men and women serving their 
country on the front lines. I also unequivocally condemn Iraq's 
mistreatment of prisoners of war and remind the Iraqi regime that, if 
it chooses to ignore America's demand to abide by its commitment to the 
Third Geneva Convention, then these war criminals will be prosecuted to 
the fullest extent of the law.

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