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Congress shaken by new pics
12/05/2004 23:09 - (SA)
Washington - The abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US military personnel included torture, humiliation and forced sex beyond what has been seen in public, members of congress said on Wednesday after viewing fresh photos and videos in the scandal that has shaken the Bush administration.
"I don't know how the hell these people got into our army," said Ben Nighthorse Campbell, one of several members of congress who emerged grim-faced from lawmakers-only screenings.
Lawmakers said they saw disturbing images that included military dogs snarling at cowering prisoners, Iraqi women commanded to expose their breasts and photos of sex acts, including forced homosexual sex.
In addition, lawmakers said there were images of hooded Iraqi prisoners being forced to masturbate while cameras captured the scene.
Jane Harman said she saw a clothed man hurling himself against a wall as though trying to knock himself unconscious.
"It was yet another series of pictures depicting horrific acts, examples of torture and sexual abuse," said senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle.
The private screening marked the latest turn in a scandal that has prompted President Bush to apologise to the victims and Democrats to demand the dismissal of Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Most lawmakers said they opposed public release of the Iraqi prison pictures, which everyone agreed were stomach-turning.
- AP
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