Hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee - Allegations of Mistreatment of Iraqi Prisoners

Federal News Service

HEADLINE: HEARING OF THE SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE

SUBJECT: ALLEGATIONS OF MISTREATMENT OF IRAQI PRISONERS

CHAIRED BY: SENATOR JOHN WARNER (R-VA)

WITNESSES: CENTCOM COMMANDER GENERAL JOHN ABIZAID; LIEUTENANT GENERAL RICARDO SANCHEZ, COMMANDER, MULTINATIONAL FORCE, IRAQ; MAJOR GENERAL GEOFFREY MILLER, DEPUTY COMMANDER FOR DETAINEE OPERATIONS, MULTINATIONAL FORCE, IRAQ

LOCATION: 216 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING, WASHINGTON, D.C.

BODY:
SEN. CORNYN: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I guess we can conclude that not even combatant commanders can go very far without their lawyer, correct, General Abizaid? I don't think any of us should be surprised that what I counted up to be at least six separate investigations occurring in a war zone might occasionally come up, at least in a preliminary fashion, with some conflicts, or gaps in the investigation. But, I want to make sure that we understand at a baseline where we are.

General Abizaid, isn't it true that in basic training our soldiers receive training on the Geneva Convention?

GEN. ABIZAID: Yes, sir, that's true.

SEN. CORNYN: And also prior to their deployment to the field of operations they receive retraining on the terms of the Geneva Convention?

GEN. ABIZAID: They are supposed to, yes, sir.

SEN. CORNYN: And I believe that you've made very clear that under no circumstances, no matter what the category of detainee may be, that at a basic minimum everyone in the custody of the United States military is entitled to be treated humanely. Is that correct, sir?

GEN. ABIZAID: That's correct, sir.

SEN. CORNYN: I believe very strongly that in addition to the hearings we've had here, which will hopefully after we conclude, allow our military to get back and do what we've asked you to do in Iraq and Afghanistan, that is defeat the enemy, we've got to let our military justice process work. But, General Sanchez, you suspended the entire chain of command, not just privates and corporals, on January 17, or thereabouts, is that correct, sir?

GEN. SANCHEZ: Yes, sir, that is correct.

SEN. CORNYN: So just to make clear, no one is pointing the finger at the lowest level of our military food chain, and saying you're at fault, and the commanding officers are being protected. Is that right?

GEN. SANCHEZ: Sir, that is correct.

SEN. CORNYN: General Miller, I've had the pleasure of traveling to Guantanamo Bay, like a number of the committee have, and meeting you there, and was enormously impressed with that operation. There have been some who, during the course of these hearings, suggested, perhaps because of the various categories of detainees we have in different locations, whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, or Guantanamo Bay, that perhaps there is some variation in terms of the acceptability of humane treatment. But, would you also confirm for us that at minimum every one, regardless of their status at Guantanamo Bay, or anywhere else to your knowledge, is entitled to be treated humanely?

GEN. MILLER: Yes, Senator, every enemy combatant who is at Guantanamo is detained in a humane manner.

SEN. CORNYN: And in your opinion, General Miller, is the military intelligence that you've been able to gain from those who have recruited, financed, and carried out terrorist activities against the United States, or our military, has that intelligence that you've gained saved American lives?

GEN. MILLER: Senator, absolutely.

SEN. CORNYN: And would you confirm for us, General Abizaid, that that's also true within Central Command?

GEN. ABIZAID: Senator, I agree that that's true, and I would also like to add that some of these people that we are dealing with are some of the most despicable characters that you could ever imagine. They spend every waking moment trying to figure out how to deliver a weapons of mass destruction into the middle of our country. And we should not kid ourselves about what they are capable of doing to us, and we have to deal with them.

SEN. CORNYN: If we needed any other reminder of that, the death of Nicholas Berg reminded us, again, in a graphic fashion. But, I, for one am not troubled that some person who is trying to kill Americans is deprived of a good night's sleep in order to elicit information, consistent with the Geneva Convention, and our laws, and humanity, information that might save American lives. And I consider you all American heroes, and congratulate you for the job you're doing.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.