[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S5242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        ABUSE OF IRAQI PRISONERS

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I want to also mention that yesterday the 
Senate Armed Services Committee held a day-long hearing to learn more 
about the abuse of the Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison. Many 
of us did not see all of the testimony, but we were able to review it 
over the course of the day. The committee received detailed testimony 
from Major General Antonio Taguba, the senior officer who investigated 
and reported on the Abu Ghraib prison abuses, and from a range of other 
Defense Department officials.
  Today, the Intelligence Committee will be holding a closed hearing to 
explore matters under their jurisdiction related to these incidents. As 
we know, both committees met last week in a similar fashion. This 
afternoon, from 2 to approximately 5 o'clock, in S. 407, there will be 
an opportunity for all Senators to review photographs and evidence 
related to the prisoner abuse scandal. We will have the opportunity to 
view them. They will be there from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in S-407, after 
which they will be returned.

  As I stated yesterday, it is our expectation that the Senate will be 
apprised of the ongoing investigations being conducted by the 
Department of Defense and of all the actions being taken to ensure 
these incidents never occur again.
  To that end, I simply wish to reflect my perspective that the Defense 
Department has been very responsive to our requests. Secretary 
Rumsfeld, General Myers, and their senior aides have updated us as 
events have unfolded, and they have been attentive to the Senate's 
requests and to their needs.
  As the President said the other day, Secretary Rumsfeld--I agree with 
the President--has done a superb job as Secretary of Defense in very 
trying and challenging times. I am confident he is taking action to 
address these deplorable acts in a deliberate manner, in a transparent 
manner, and is taking all measures to ensure that these acts will never 
occur again.

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