WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld warned Friday that there are additional photographs and video images of American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners that would add "horror" to the scandal, and he acknowledged under questioning that it was "possible" his resignation would ease an international furor.
Rumsfeld apologized to members of both houses of Congress and to victims of the mistreatment for the abuse scandal at the U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq and promised to compensate detainees who were shown in graphic photographs suffering humiliation and sexual and physical abuse. Military officials said later Friday that there were more than 1,000 images in addition to those previously made public.
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Wednesday May 19, 2004 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 1 inches; 40 words Type of Material: Correction
Iraq prison scandal -- A May 8 article in Section A reported that Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) asked Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld whether his resignation would help demonstrate America's regret. The question was posed by Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.).
"I feel terrible about what happened to these Iraqi detainees. They're human beings. They were in U.S. custody. Our country had an obligation to treat them right. We didn't, and that was wrong," Rumsfeld said in a command appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee. "So to those Iraqis who were mistreated by members of the U.S. armed forces, I offer my deepest apology."
Traveling in Wisconsin, President Bush was briefed by aides on Rumsfeld's testimony, but he was not monitoring the appearance. Bush called his Defense secretary from Air Force One on a tarmac in LaCrosse, Wis. According to White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, Bush told Rumsfeld that he did a "really good job" and that the president "appreciated it."
Rumsfeld responded to calls for his ouster by saying Friday he would step down if he could no longer be effective but that he would not bow to political pressure. "Needless to say, if I felt I could not be effective, I'd resign in a minute. I would not resign simply because people try to make a political issue out of it," he said.
However, asked by Sen. Mark Dayton (D-Minn.) whether his resignation might be the best way to demonstrate the depth of U.S. concern, Rumsfeld responded: "That's possible."
Mingling uncharacteristic words of contrition with his trademark combativeness, Rumsfeld settled in for a day of confrontation with political allies and rivals on Capitol Hill. He was flanked by Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, the chairman of his Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other top Pentagon officials, who were frequently called upon to field pointed questions in the packed committee rooms.
