H3090 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE May 10, 2005 Third, Major General Geoffrey Miller: Ac- military judge, Col. James Pohl, declared a credibility the American occupation of cording to the Center for American Progress: mistrial after Pvt. Charles A. Graner Jr., a was clinging to when it happened. The hope, ‘‘a Guantanamo commander, Maj. Gen. Geof- former guard at , testified that at the time, was that the the photos were taken for training purposes. would show the world that it was different, frey Miller, was sent to Abu Ghraib to That testimony undermined England’s ad- that it would be accountable. ‘‘Gitmoize’’ it. Under his command, the Inter- mission that she knew her actions were ‘‘Watch America. Watch how we deal with national Committee of the Red Cross found in- wrong and her acceptance of responsibility. this,’’ then-Secretary of State Colin Powell terrogation techniques at Guantanamo Bay But England and the the few other enlisted said almost a year ago in a commencement are ‘‘tantamount to .’’ ‘‘Harsh methods’’ men and women who have faced courts mar- speech at Wake Forest University. ‘‘Watch used at the prison include forced enemas, tial in the scandal should not be the only how a nation such as ours will not tolerate sleep deprivation and chaining prisoners to ones to pay a price for what happened at Abu such actions. . . . The world will see that we chairs and leaving them ‘‘to soil themselves.’’ Ghraib. High-level military and administra- are still a nation with a moral code that de- tion officials must not be allowed to escape fines our national character.’’ Just weeks after he visited Iraq, the now-infa- responsibility for a scandal that is far more There was reason to hope. But at the time, mous abuse occurred at Abu Ghraib. of their making than of low-ranking soldiers. Powell and others believed that al-Jamadi’s Fourth, White House Counsel Alberto Gon- So far, Brig. Gen. , an Army death was the only one on the military’s zalez: Gonzales was instrumental in shaping reservist who formerly ran U.S. prisons in prison watch in Iraq and and U.S. policy on the interrogation of prisoners. In Iraq, is the only high-level officer to be dis- that abuse was limited to a few bad apples. the now infamous 1/25/02 memo to the presi- ciplined, and she rightly regards herself as a It turned out that al-Jamadi’s death was, in- dent he wrote, ‘‘the war against terrorism is a scapegoat. deed, the only one—at Abu Ghraib. In March, new kind of war’’ and ‘‘this new paradigm ren- Congress, which abandoned its oversight conceded that it was inves- role during the invasion and its bloody after- ders obsolete Geneva’s strict limitations on tigating 25 other inmate deaths it has classi- math, should demand an investigation by a fied as homicides in American custody in questioning of enemy prisoners and renders bipartisan independent commission similar Iraq and Afghanistan since 2002. If that many quaint some of its provisions.’’ Gonzalez also to the Sept. 11 commission. inmates have been killed in prisons and de- advised President Bush that laws prohibiting Instead of starting at the bottom, as the tention centers under American supervision torture do ‘‘not apply to the President’s deten- military’s whitewashes have done, the panel in the two countries, it is unlikely that the tion and interrogation of enemy combatants’’ should start at the top with Defense Sec- beatings, the abuses, the that lead and an interrogation tactic only constituted tor- retary , who failed to plan to such homicides would be limited to a few ture if it resulted in ‘‘death, organ failure, or for postwar Iraq and then failed to adjust his bad apples. plans after the insurgency began. Rumsfeld serious impairment of body functions.’’ Yet that’s the upshot of 11 investigations is the reason why there were insufficient and reports of what went wrong. Some of the Last but surely not least, President George numbers of prison guards in Iraq and why reports judged the Pentagon severely and W. Bush: The President is not last on this list they had inadequate training and murky called for corrective action and punish- for no reason, Mr. Speaker. Harry Truman guidelines. Rumsfeld also made the decision ments. But it was up to the Army to act, be- proudly proclaimed ‘‘the Buck Stops Here.’’ It to authorize harsh interrogation techniques cause President Bush refused to give anyone would seem this Commander in Chief believes for detainees at Guantanamo Bay and then else authority to do more than advise. the buck stops far before that Pentagon, White to apply those methods in Iraq. So the Army judged (and protected) its House or Oval Office. Next on the list should be Attorney Gen- own. The Army has cleared four of the top eral , who three years ago Mr. Speaker, why is Congress receiving five officers overseeing prisons in Iraq. It prepared a legal opinion stating that Geneva isn’t clear whether it has investigated offi- more information on these atrocities from the Conventions protections for detainees in Af- cers supervising prisons in Afghanistan (with news media than the President, his staff or the ghanistan were ‘‘obsolete.’’ That opinion, at least two reported inmate deaths) or Department of Defense on? Moreover, why along with his endorsement of the harsh in- Guantanamo Bay. Of 353 cases of abuse the does he refuse to acknowledge that either he terrogation methods, contributed to the Army investigated (the number alone belies or his immediate advisers are primarily re- abuses at Abu Ghraib. Also high on the list any suggestion of a limited problem), 225 are sponsible for the culture of abuse ‘‘Bring em should be Lt. Gen. , the closed. Of 124 soldiers who faced disciplinary on’’ spawned by their reinvention of prisoner former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, action, virtually all were the small fry of en- who cleared the use of interrogation tech- listed personnel. While 17 have been thrown interrogation policies? niques in Iraq that violated Geneva Conven- Privates and Corporals in the Army Guard out of the Army, seven low-ranked soldiers tions. have faced punishment that range anywhere and Reserves are not responsible for the The judge in England’s case dismissed from forfeiting half a month’s pay to—in one atrocities at Abu Ghraib and elsewhere. They charges against her because of testimony in- case—10 years in prison. One general, Janis were only operating in an atmosphere created, dicating others were to blame. England Karpinski, was demoted and given a written fostered and encouraged by top echelon at should face justice. But the civilian and reprimand. She was in charge of Abu Ghraib the Pentagon and White House. military leaders who sent her to Iraq and prison. Why are we not pursuing those truly respon- who bear larger responsibility for the illegal That’s it. That’s where U.S. accountability sible for these crimes? Harry Truman would and immoral abuses that occurred there ends. Condoleezza Rice, Powell’s successor at should be held accountable as well. fully assume the role of Commander in the State Department, told Europeans dur- ing her visit a few weeks ago that ‘‘bad Chief—not just troop deployment but troop de- [From the Daytona Beach News-Journal, things happened at Abu Ghraib that, as the portment and frankly, the truth. May 10, 2005] president said, make us sick to our stomach. [From the Register-Guard, May 9, 2005] ABU GHRAIB WHITEWASH But the real test of a democratic country is GO HIGHER ON ABU GHRAIB: TOP OFFICIALS On Nov. 4, 2003, Manadel al-Jamadi was how one deals with those.’’ The sickening SHOULDN’T ESCAPE RESPONSIBILITY found dead in the showers of Abu Ghraib test result is the scandal has been lumped on Sooner or later, Pfc. will prison outside Baghdad. Al-Jamadi was a de- the back of just a few lowly soldiers. be convicted for her role in abusing and tainee who, according to a Navy SEAL testi- f humiliating Iraqi prisoners at the infamous fying in a military court a year later, had in Iraq. probably been beaten by interrogators the CAFTA Anyone tempted to shed tears over the night before. Several soldiers posed for pic- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a prospect of the young Army reservist spend- tures besides the body, grinning and with previous order of the House, the gen- ing time behind bars need only remember the their thumbs up. Five months later CBS tleman from Ohio (Mr. BROWN) is rec- photographs that showed England leering as broadcast those images and many more, in- ognized for 5 minutes. she pointed to the genitals of a male captive, cluding those of naked Iraqi prisoners forced and as she led a naked prisoner around by a into human pyramids by their captors, of Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, leash. prisoners leashed like animals or terrorized today more than 400 union workers and These images shamed both U.S. critics and by dogs and to the seeming entertainment of Members of Congress gathered in front supporters of the U.S. invasion. They also their American captors. of the United States Capitol delivering had a devastating impact on American ef- Whether American soldiers abused detain- a united message: vote ‘‘no’’ on the forts to win support in Iraq and throughout ees ‘‘for their own amusement,’’ as Pfc. Central American Free Trade Agree- the Middle East for the occupation and de- Lynndie England put it to a military court ment. mocratization of Iraq. last week; whether they did it as part of a This week, the presidents of Central It was neither surprising nor upsetting systematic policy of abuse designed to ‘‘soft- then to learn Friday that the government en’’ detainees for interrogation; or whether America and the Dominican Republic plans to file new charges against England, the whole thing was ‘‘an over-hyped story,’’ are touring the Nation on a United whose guilty plea was tossed out and her as The Wall Street Journal called it two States Chamber of Commerce-funded court martial canceled earlier in the week. A weeks ago, the scandal shattered what little junket, pushing the Central American

VerDate jul 14 2003 04:02 May 11, 2005 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10MY7.048 H10PT1 May 10, 2005 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H3091 Free Trade Agreement. They are trav- Americans of both parties. Instead of one out of four veterans of the wars in eling to Miami and Los Angeles. They supporting the President on CAFTA, Afghanistan and Iraq treated at VA are going to Albuquerque and to my overwhelming numbers of Republicans hospitals in the past 16 months were di- State, Cincinnati, Ohio, attempting to and Democrats in this body and across agnosed with mental disorders. Alarm- convince the American people and the the country have come out against the ingly, this number has been steadily American press that CAFTA is good for agreement. rising, and we can only guess how their countries and for their people. Last month, two dozen Democrats many soldiers do not come forward to Unfortunately, these leaders are not and Republicans in Congress joined get help because of the stigma that is telling the whole story. Like our own more than 150 business groups and associated with mental illnesses. President, they try to convince us that labor organizations echoing a united Post-traumatic stress disorder, also CAFTA will lift up low-income workers message: vote ‘‘no’’ on the Central known as PTSD, is the most common in Central America and that CAFTA American Free Trade Agreement. disorder seen in returning soldiers and will create jobs here in the United Under NAFTA, the North American has been diagnosed in 10 percent of re- States. What they have not said is that Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. has turning soldiers at VA hospitals. Other CAFTA does nothing to ensure enforce- lost more than 1 million jobs. Under mental disorders that are being seen ment of labor provisions in their own NAFTA the promise of a thriving mid- are drug or alcohol abuse, depression countries. What they have not said is dle class in Mexico was never realized. and anxiety disorders. Also phobias and that the combined purchasing power of Under NAFTA, just like every other panic are part of the whole diagnosis. the CAFTA nations, the combined pur- trade agreement, the administration, These are the hidden scars that chasing power of the CAFTA nations, the corporate leaders make the same young men and women who serve in is equal to that of Columbus, Ohio; or promises. They promise more manufac- combat are left with when they return Memphis, Tennessee; or Orlando, Flor- turing jobs in the United States. They home. While mental and emotional ida. In other words, people in Guate- promise growth in industry in the problems cannot be seen as easily as a mala and Honduras and Nicaragua and United States. They promise more ex- physical wound, they are just as debili- El Salvador and Costa Rica cannot af- ports from the United States. But it tating. ford to buy the steel produced in Penn- never happens that way. Large numbers of veterans from Iraq sylvania. They cannot afford to buy The definition of insanity is repeat- and Afghanistan are coming home, and cars made in Ohio. They cannot afford ing the same action over and over and they are showing up in our homeless to buy textiles and apparel from North over again and expecting a different re- population in numbers that have not Carolina and South Carolina and Geor- sult. We have heard these same prom- been seen since the end of the Vietnam gia. They cannot afford to buy software ises about CAFTA, about NAFTA, War. This is a shameful epidemic, and from Northern California or Oregon or about trade with China, about the we must work to confront it before it is too late. the State of Washington. World Trade Organization. We have Serving in a combat zone not only af- With all due respect, Mr. Speaker, to heard these same promises over and fects soldiers but also their families. the Central American leaders, what over and over again, and the American When service members come home, they are not saying and what millions people understand the promises simply they face a real challenge in learning of us know already is that millions of do not work. how to readjust to civilian life, often their workers in Central America, like Now the President and his big busi- taking a toll on relationships with tens of millions of American workers, ness allies are hoping that bringing family members and sometimes leading do not support the Central American these Central American leaders on to even more mental and emotional Free Trade Agreement. What their their Chamber of Commerce junket can help deliver support for an agreement problems. leaders will not tell the American peo- Every time we send our young men that, frankly, as we look across this ple, what their leaders will not share and women into combat, we are asking Chamber, is dead on arrival. Right now with reporters covering their junket, is them to make a huge sacrifice for the that 8,000 Guatemalan workers pro- the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is rest of us. Their lives and their health tested against CAFTA in March. Two hosting a reception for the visiting dig- are the real follow-up costs to any war. of them lost their lives when govern- nitaries, these six presidents, reward- That is why I have introduced H. Con. ment forces attacked the crowds. ing them for their lobbying efforts this Res. 35, asking for the immediate with- We have not heard Central American week. Right now the leaders of these drawal of troops from Iraq. Thirty- leaders mention the literally tens of countries are raising their toasts to three other Members of Congress have thousands of El Salvadorans who pro- their corporate sponsors. signed my resolution with me, because Mr. Speaker, there can be no more tested CAFTA in 2002. They do not we know that the longer we keep our mention the 18,000 letters sent last delay. We must throw out this failed troops in harm’s way, fighting a war of year by Honduran workers to their agreement and renegotiate the Central occupation, the higher the costs in Honduran Congress decrying this dys- American Free Trade Agreement. human lives. Coupled with that bill, I functional cousin of the North Amer- f am also reintroducing legislation to ican Free Trade Agreement. The Cen- b 1945 support a SMART security platform for tral American leaders do not mention the 21st century. the 10,000 people who protested CAFTA SMART AND VETERANS MENTAL SMART stands for Sensible, Multi- 11⁄2 years ago in Nicaragua. They do not HEALTH lateral American Response to Ter- tell us about the 30,000 CAFTA The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. rorism. SMART treats war as an abso- protestors in Costa Rica just last fall. MARCHANT). Under a previous order of lute last resort. It fights terrorism Hundreds of thousands of workers have the House, the gentlewoman from Cali- with stronger intelligence and multi- protested CAFTA in more than 45 dem- fornia (Ms. WOOLSEY) is recognized for lateral partnerships. It controls the onstrations in these six Central Amer- 5 minutes. spread of weapons of mass destruction ican countries. Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, we re- with a renewed commitment to non- Opposition to CAFTA here in the cently passed the conference report on proliferation, and it aggressively in- United States has been equally stal- yet another supplemental appropria- vests in the development of impover- wart. More than a year has passed tions bill for the war in Iraq, bringing ished nations, with an emphasis on since President Bush signed CAFTA. the total amount of taxpayer money women’s health and women’s edu- Every other trade agreement the Presi- being spent on this ill-conceived, built- cation. dent has brought to Congress has been on-lies war to over $300 billion. The We must take a smarter approach to voted on within 6 or 7 weeks. This has longer we keep funding this irrespon- our foreign policy and homeland secu- been 111⁄2 months since the President sible effort, the more harm we are rity measures. The sacrifices made by signed it because there is so much op- doing, not just to the people of Iraq but our soldiers are so great. We should be position from American workers, from also to our very own troops. asking them to make sacrifices only American educators, from American The New England Journal of Medi- after careful and thoughtful delibera- social service organizations, from cine recently reported that as many as tion, not rushing to war on unreliable

VerDate jul 14 2003 04:02 May 11, 2005 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K10MY7.058 H10PT1