Rummy: "US does NOT have a responsibility" to prevent abuse

[kpete]

UPI: Pace schools Rumsfeld on Iraq abuse
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. forces are obliged to stop inhumane treatment wherever they see it in Iraq, Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference Tuesday.

This was news to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who told reporters "the United States does not have a responsibility" to prevent abuse of prisoners or civilians at the hands of the Iraqi military or police forces they are training.

Pace offered the military perspective, which is less accommodating.

"It is absolutely the responsibility of every U.S. service member, if they see inhumane treatment being conducted, to intervene to stop it," he said.

"But I don't think you mean they have an obligation to physically stop it; it's to report it," said Rumsfeld, turning to Pace.

"If they are physically present when inhumane treatment is taking place, sir, they have an obligation to try to stop it," Pace said.


http://www.crooksandliars.com/
http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20051129-042325-2961r

[Jim Sagle]

1. So what does Rummy DO all day that he doesn't already KNOW this?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. So the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs openly disagreed with the SecDef?

Wow. Just... wow. Sounds like the General isn't altogether happy with Rumsferatu.

[Ilsa]

3. He's a Marine. The first to serve in this position.

I bet he doesn't take much shit from anyone. I bet Rumsferatu will be banging his head against a tank over this all evening.

[Union Thug]

4. But he tried to justify the invasion of Iraq on such abuses... What the???

Welcome to bizarro world, ladies and gentlemen!

[Gman]

5. Whoa! I'd love to have been a fly on the wall after that press conf

Can you imagine the exchange?