U.S. Congress Will Hold a Hearing on Concealment

The controversy over the abuse of Iraqi detainees has diffused to the U.S. political world. It can greatly affect President George W. Bush who is seeking a reelection in the presidential election this November.

The White House and the Department of Defense is trying to appease the anger within and outside the country.

Diffusion of the Sensation—

Congress decided to hold a hearing on May 5 because the Department of Defense had concealed the case while not reporting to the Congress for a long period of time and coping with the situation belatedly.

Senator Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said on May 4, “Some intelligence agents are suspected of ordering and encouraging the abuse of detainees. The committee will judge if the agents are related to this unpardonable event by investigating them.”

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. John Warner revealed that he would also hold another hearing and ask Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to testify.

Sen. John McCain criticized Rumsfeld, saying, “It was a huge mistake that the Pentagon did not brief this case to the Congress immediately.” He also claimed, “The case gave a fatal blow to the U.S.’ image. The Department of Defense has to investigate it publicly.”

“The situation in Iraq may be the opening,” said Sen. Edward Kennedy, suspecting abuse in the concentration camps of Afghanistan and Cuba.

The Reaction of the U.S. Administration—

President Bush will give interviews to two Arab television networks, Al-Hurra TV and Al-Arabiya TV, to express his regret and his promise to punish the related figures on May 5.

However, he also addressed at the election campaign in Ohio, “I will do my duty of democratizing Iraq without fail.”

Rumsfeld assured at the same day, “This case cannot be tolerated and it is not like the U.S. The Pentagon will do everything within the law to punish those who are responsible.”

Secretary of State Colin Powell admitted the mistake by saying, “It is an immoral event. We absolutely made a mistake.”

National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice and Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage granted interviews to Arab networks to appease the outraged Muslims.

Soon-Taek Kwon maypole@donga.com