Larsen Strongly Condemns Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement today regarding recent revelations of abuse of Iraqi prisoners:

"I deplore these heinous acts of abuse by American soldiers, intelligence personnel and contractors. They do not reflect American values and run counter to how we would want our military treated.

"From the top to the bottom of the military chain of command, we absolutely must hold those individuals accountable who perpetrated these terrible acts. Responsibility and accountability must not end with those who work at Abu Ghraib prison.

"The Abu Ghraib abuse scandal is a devastating blow to already-teetering U.S. efforts to build support in the Middle East for security and reconstruction in Iraq. This scandal compromises our credibility as a nation that seeks to foster freedom and democracy in Iraq. This abuse tars the outstanding bravery and efforts of the American women and men who are risking their lives in Iraq with courage, vigilance, and commitment.

"This abuse may have endangered their lives by telling current and future enemies that it is acceptable to treat U.S. military in the same manner. In order to protect our women and men in the military, we need to prosecute everyone involved in the illegal torture of Iraqi prisoners."

Larsen serves on the House Armed Services Committee. He has signed onto a letter asking Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld to authorize the Department of Defense Inspector General to conduct and/or supervise any investigations into the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners at U.S. military prisons in Iraq.