Rumsfeld apologises
2004-05-07 18:11
Washington - Defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Friday offered his "deepest apology" to Iraqi prisoners abused by American troops as he appeared before a congressional committee hearing marked by a noisy protest.
Rumsfeld, fighting for his job according to US media, said the United States had an obligation to treat prisoners correctly.
"We didn't, and that was wrong," he said.
"So, to those Iraqis who were mistreated by members of the US armed forces, I offer my deepest apology."
Rumsfeld told lawmakers: "It happened on my watch, and I take full responsibility."
Minutes after the start of the committee hearing, during Rumsfeld's statement, protesters disrupted the hearing and shouted demands for Rumsfeld to be sacked.
About eight demonstrators shouted "fire Rumsfeld" and held up paper placards, halting the defence secretary's testimony before the senate armed services committee hearing.
Outcry after pictures of abuse
Security guards escorted the protesters out of the chamber.
The defence secretary and General Richard Myers, chair of the US joint chiefs of staff, appeared before the committee along with other top military brass amid an international outcry about pictures of bound and naked prisoners being abused at the US-run Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad.
Rumsfeld has already been scolded by President George W Bush for not telling him sooner about the photographs, which first came to light in January, but were only publicised last week by the CBS television channel.
US MPs have expressed anger they were not told about the investigation into the abuse.
Rumsfeld acknowledged his failure to disclose details.
"Let me be clear, I failed to recognise how important it was to elevate a matter of such gravity to the highest levels, including to the president and members of congress," said Rumsfeld.