Hoeffel Statement on Treatment of Iraqi Prisoners

Hoeffel Statement on Treatment of Iraqi Prisoners

Washington, DC -- (May 5, 2004) - U.S. Rep. Joseph M. Hoeffel (PA-13) today issued the following statement regarding the treatment of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison. In addition, Hoeffel has co-signed a letter with many other Members of Congress to Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld asking that the Military Inspector General of the Department of Defense be instructed to supervise the investigation into the treatment of the prisoners. Hoeffel is also calling for immediate congressional hearings.

His statement is as follows:

"The appalling events in Abu Ghraib prison are abhorrent to every American. They threaten to undermine our credibility throughout the world, and seriously erode our efforts to win the hearts and minds of Iraqi citizens and the entire Muslim world. These actions have also put our brave troops in Iraq in increased danger and further erode our own national security.

"Congress must begin hearings into this situation as soon as possible. The Administration, and particularly the Department of Defense, must act swiftly and openly to discipline not only those responsible for these reprehensible acts, but also those who fostered the environment that allowed these acts to happen no matter how high up the chain of command that takes investigators. I find it astonishing that Secretary Rumsfeld has had a 53-page report on the incidents on his desk since March and admittedly has not read it.

"A full and thorough investigation is even more critical on this issue since the Administration's plans in Iraq from the start have lacked foresight and forthrightness, and these events only seem to add to that record. The soldiers involved obviously lacked proper training and discipline, and their commanding officers obviously failed to provide the leadership and oversight necessary for this critically important and sensitive task in Iraq. The consequences of these failures are very serious for our national interest - and those responsible should face court-martial or submit their resignations.