May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4951 for, children with disabilities or special The legislative clerk read the nomi- litical legitimacy of the interim Iraqi health care needs; nation of John D. Negroponte, of New government, and take the American ‘‘(C) identify successful health delivery York, to be Ambassador Extraordinary face off of the occupation of Iraq. The models for such children; and Plenipotentiary of the United appointment of an ambassador who oc- ‘‘(D) develop with representatives of health cupies such a high and visible post un- care providers, managed care organizations, States of America to Iraq. health care purchasers, and appropriate The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is derscores for our coalition partners and State agencies a model for collaboration be- 51⁄2 hours equally divided. Who yields the Iraqis that the American commit- tween families of such children and health time? ment to Iraq is strong and we mean to professionals; The Senator from Indiana. succeed. ‘‘(E) provide training and guidance regard- Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I direct a In April, the Foreign Relations Com- ing caring for such children; parliamentary inquiry to the Chair. mittee held three hearings to examine ‘‘(F) conduct outreach activities to the Would the Chair describe at the outset whether American and Iraqi authori- families of such children, health profes- of this debate the unanimous consent ties are ready for the transition to sionals, schools, and other appropriate enti- agreement and the allocation of 51⁄2 Iraqi sovereignty on June 30. These ties and individuals; and hearings greatly advanced our under- ‘‘(G) are staffed by families of children hours of time? with disabilities or special health care needs The PRESIDING OFFICER. The 51⁄2 standing of the situation in Iraq and who have expertise in Federal and State pub- hours for debate is equally divided be- answered many questions. We will hold lic and private health care systems and tween the chairman and the ranking additional hearings this month to mon- health professionals. member of the committee. itor developments and to illuminate ‘‘(3) The Secretary shall develop family-to- Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I yield for the American people the challenges family health information centers described myself as much time as I require. and responsibility we face in Iraq. in paragraph (2) in accordance with the fol- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- The President and other leaders, in- lowing: ator is recognized. cluding Members of Congress, must ‘‘(A) With respect to fiscal year 2006, such communicate with the American peo- centers shall be developed in not less than 25 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, today the States. Senate considers the nomination of ple about our plan in Iraq. American ‘‘(B) With respect to fiscal year 2007, such Ambassador John Negroponte to be lives will continue to be at risk in Iraq, centers shall be developed in not less than 40 U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. This position and substantial American resources States. will clearly be one of the most con- will continue to be spent there for the ‘‘(C) With respect to fiscal year 2008, such sequential ambassadorships in Amer- foreseeable future. I am convinced that centers shall be developed in all States. ican history. The Ambassador to Iraq the confidence and commitment dem- ‘‘(4) The provisions of this title that are onstrated by the pronouncement of a applicable to the funds made available to the not only will be called upon to lead an estimated 1,700 embassy personnel— flexible but detailed plan for Iraq is Secretary under section 502(a)(1) apply in the necessary for our success, and such a same manner to funds made available to the 1,000 Americans from as many as 15 dif- Secretary under paragraph (1)(A). ferent agencies of our Federal Govern- plan would prove to our allies and to ‘‘(5) For purposes of this subsection, the ment, and 700 Iraqis—but he will also Iraqis that we have a strategy and we term ‘State’ means each of the 50 States and be the focal point of international ef- are committed to making it work. If the District of Columbia.’’. forts to secure and reconstruct Iraq we cannot provide this clarity, we risk SEC. 5. RESTORATION OF MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY and to provide the developing Iraqi the loss of support of the American FOR CERTAIN SSI BENEFICIARIES. government with the opportunity to people, the loss of potential contribu- (a) IN GENERAL.—Section tions from our allies, and the disillu- 1902(a)(10)(A)(i)(II) (42 U.S.C. achieve responsible nationhood. American credibility in the world, sionment of Iraqis. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(II)) is amended— During Foreign Relations Committee (1) by inserting ‘‘(aa)’’ after ‘‘(II)’’; progress in the war on terrorism, rela- hearings, I posed six detailed questions (2) by striking ‘‘) and’’ and inserting tionships with our allies, and the fu- as a way of fleshing out a plan for Iraq. ‘‘and’’; ture of the Middle East depend on a Answers to these questions would con- (3) by striking ‘‘section or who are’’ and in- positive outcome in Iraq. What happens stitute a coherent transition strategy. serting ‘‘section), (bb) who are’’; and there during the next 18 months almost (4) by inserting before the comma at the We discussed issues surrounding Am- end the following: ‘‘, or (cc) who are under 21 certainly will determine whether we bassador Brahimi’s efforts, the status years of age and with respect to whom sup- can begin to redirect the Middle East of American Armed Forces in Iraq after plemental security income benefits would be toward a more productive and peaceful the transition, the role of the U.N. Se- paid under title XVI if subparagraphs (A) and future beyond the grip of terrorist in- curity Council resolutions, plans for (B) of section 1611(c)(7) were applied without fluences. Helping the Iraqi people elections, the composition of the U.S. regard to the phrase ‘the first day of the achieve a secure, independent state is a month following’ ’’. Embassy, efforts to provide security vital United States national security for its personnel, and how we intend to (b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments priority that requires the highest level made by subsection (a) shall apply to med- pay for the continued U.S. involvement ical assistance for items and services fur- of national commitment. With so much in Iraq. nished on or after January 1, 2006. at stake, I am pleased the President Under Secretary of State Mark The committee amendment in the has nominated a veteran diplomat and Grossman testified about the reporting nature of a substitute, as amended, was manager to lead the American presence of engaging the interim Iraq govern- agreed to. in Iraq. ment as soon as it is selected. We can- The bill was ordered to be engrossed Ambassador John Negroponte has not simply turn on the lights in the for a third reading, was read the third served as U.S. Ambassador to Hon- Embassy on June 30 and expect every- time and passed. duras, to Mexico, and to the Phil- thing to go well. We must be rehears- ippines. He has also served as an As- f ing with Iraqi authorities and our coa- sistant Secretary of State and Deputy lition partners on how decisionmaking EXECUTIVE SESSION Assistant for National Security Affairs and administrative power will be dis- under President Ronald Reagan. He has tributed and exercised. been the U.S. Ambassador to the It is critical, therefore, that Ambas- NOMINATION OF JOHN D. United Nations since September 18, sador Negroponte and his team be in NEGROPONTE, OF NEW YORK, TO 2001, 7 days after the September 11 at- place at the earliest possible moment. BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAOR- tacks. The contacts and credibility he For this reason, the Foreign Relations DINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY has developed at the United Nations Committee made a bipartisan decision OF THE UNITED STATES OF will be invaluable. to take up Ambassador Negroponte’s AMERICA TO IRAQ If we are to be successful in Iraq, the nomination in an expedited fashion. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under United Nations and the international Processing the diplomatic nomination the previous order, the Senate will pro- community must play a more central often requires weeks and sometimes ceed to executive session to consider role. The United Nations’ involvement months from the time the President the following nomination, which the can help us generate greater inter- announces it. Through the diligent ef- clerk will report. national participation, improve the po- forts of the State Department and our

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4952 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 own committee staff on both sides of Ambassador Negroponte returned, in In our hearing, we also raised with the aisle, we accelerated the normal fact, from our public hearing before the Ambassador Negroponte the prob- timetable to give Ambassador Foreign Relations Committee to the ability of a U.N. Security Council reso- Negroponte and the administration a U.N. to consult with Ambassador lution that brings some certainty to chance to stand up the U.S. Embassy in Brahimi who was, in fact, making a these arrangements I have been de- Iraq as soon as possible. presentation before the Security Coun- scribing and does so at least in as time- I thank Senator JOE BIDEN and all cil that very afternoon. ly a way as possible. Clearly, Ambas- the members of the Foreign Relations Ambassador Brahimi is now in Iraq. sador Negroponte’s current duties—he Committee for their help in moving He is, once again, proceeding through has worked with colleagues on the Se- this nomination forward unanimously. consultation with Iraq authorities and curity Council—will be very important Ambassador Negroponte, with the others. He estimates around the 1st of in the careful drafting and execution of support of his family, has made an ex- June coming forward with those who that resolution. He believes it is impor- traordinary personal commitment to have been suggested by all parties to be tant, and so do members of our com- undertake this difficult assignment. the interim government: Apparently, mittee. Our Nation is fortunate that a leader of 29 persons, including a Prime Minister, Likewise, we would like to see his stature and experience is willing to a President, two Vice Presidents, 25 worked out, although this may not be step forward. The Senate must do our members of the consulting counsel. possible, after July 1, the greatest pos- part by supporting his efforts with the It is very important, and we asked sible certainty about the status of our necessary attention and resources by Ambassador Negroponte about this forces and the forces of other foreign allowing him to take his post as soon issue, that Ambassador Negroponte and countries that are a part of the coali- as possible. those who he is going to have with I am grateful to the leaders on both tion in Iraq—that issue is not at all a him—he has mentioned a DCM, Mr. certainty—and precisely who is com- sides of the aisle for allowing us to Jeffrey, probably onboard within the commence this debate this morning. petent, given the governance situation next 10 days in Baghdad—be in con- to give it is still an open question, but I add that Ambassador Negroponte’s sultation with the 29 members, if they appearance before the Foreign Rela- it is a question that must be resolved. prove to be acceptable to the Iraqis and That is why we have laid it on the tions Committee—that led to a busi- to other parties involved because, in ness meeting and the unanimous vote table as a part of our confirmation pro- addition to conversations between our ceeding with Ambassador Negroponte. 19 to 0 on behalf of this nomination— Ambassador and the chain of com- was very important in terms of We have asked the Ambassador, like- mand, there will need to be intensive fleshing out the plan I mentioned in wise, about his enthusiasm for this consultation with the Iraqi leadership this comment. post. I simply want to say, as I have in We specifically asked Ambassador to which this measure of sovereignty is my earlier comments, we admire his Negroponte questions regarding what to be extended beginning July 1. ability to take hold on fairly short no- On security issues and likewise on could be very difficult conversations tice of such a momentous responsi- political issues, Ambassador Negro- even within our own Government—spe- bility. He is a professional in every ponte understands the Iraqi officials cifically, a chain of command with the sense of the word, a man of great expe- will believe, correctly, that the gov- Ambassador, the Embassy, with the rience. ernors of Iraq have Iraqi constituents, thousand Americans from 12 to 15 agen- The committee was mindful from that on their part, as described in our cies, as submitted in Under Secretary previous confirmation hearings on Am- hearing, there could be a certain Mark Grossman’s testimony, that bassador Negroponte that questions amount of push-back from time to time these people coordinate the chain of have been raised about his tenure in by what they think are American command responsible for security in Honduras. There have been, at the time measures or decisions that are not Iraq, the chain of command going from of his U.N. confirmation, those ques- wise, in their judgment, for either the the President of the United States as tions and others, at least, that mem- security or the politics or the economy Commander in Chief through the Sec- bers had. retary of Defense and through the Pen- of Iraq. Accommodating these three channels I mention this because this has not tagon, through General Abizaid and always been smooth sailing with regard General Sanchez presently on the of thought requires what I describe as a time for rehearsal during June. Be- to these confirmation proceedings, nor ground in command in Iraq. We asked should it be. Our members take very specifically: What if there are disagree- fore the curtain opens July 1, it is ex- tremely important that all of these seriously what happens in various ments or differences of judgment as to countries during the tenure of Ambas- how the security functions ought to parties have had intensive conversa- tions, because the success demands—at sadorships or what has been taking proceed, given political considerations, place at the United Nations during the given international considerations that least of the Iraqi transition govern- ment, working with Ambassador current responsibilities of Ambassador Ambassador Negroponte, if confirmed, Negroponte. would bring to the fore? These are Brahimi and other U.N. officials on the The committee also is mindful sim- issues that can only be worked out in plans for elections now estimated to ply of the hazards, the dangers, the po- the field. But it is important to raise occur anytime from the end of Decem- litical and security difficulties, that the issues now. ber of this year to January of calendar Our current CPA Director, Ambas- 2005—those preparations go smoothly. will attend not only our Ambassador sador Jerry Bremmer, understands this These elections are the basis that but all of our American personnel who situation very specifically. He told me many Iraqis have suggested provide le- may be proceeding to set up the largest in a telephone conversation yesterday gitimacy for some Iraqis then to pro- embassy we have had in any country at that he has been visiting with General ceed to build a constitution and a any time, in a very short period of Abizaid and General Sanchez specifi- structure for governance of the coun- time, in which responsibilities have to cally on these issues. try while security is provided by Amer- be carefully defined. It is important for Ambassador icans, by other coalition members, and I am pleased a great number of brave Negroponte to be confirmed, to be a increasingly, apparently by the Iraqis Americans have, in fact, stepped for- part of this conversation at the earliest themselves, and as the vetting of those ward and volunteered for positions in possible moment. who were previously in the army takes the American Embassy complex, not Ambassador Negroponte responded to place, the continuing training of police only as a part of the State Department our questioning by pointing out that he so not only numbers are increased but contingent, but from the other agen- will physically be in New York during equally important the quality of serv- cies that will be represented. That is many days of this month because of his ice and, therefore, the possibility for a the spirit with which Ambassador responsibilities as our Ambassador to security situation that involves Iraqis Negroponte approaches this responsi- the U.N. and that is a very important and the expertise they may bring to bility. I find it not only admirable but and pivotal position in the Iraq plan- that, well coordinated with the mili- very fulfilling to see and to witness ning. tary figures we have onboard now. this kind of responsiveness on his part.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4953 Therefore, it is a privilege to com- As complicated as Iraq seems, in one August and September the year before mence this debate, indicating the na- sense it is fairly simple. We have three we went to war, in innumerable speech- ture of our hearing and the nature of basic options as a nation. One, we can es and presentations on the Senate other hearings we have had on Ambas- continue to try to seek the objective I floor and other places since we went to sador Negroponte in the past and our have stated, or even a broader objec- war, whether if had every single thing observation of his conduct and his tive of liberal democratization on the that I and others had suggested been achievements as an American public western model as some in the adminis- done, I could guarantee the American servant over the years. I believe the tration state, by ourselves in the hope public I am certain we would succeed. record is very complete on those that more of the same of we have been This is an incredible undertaking. achievements and on his qualifications. prescribing will bring about success. There has been no time in the history I am most hopeful during the course of Or we can conclude—as some have in of the modern nation state where what the day our debate will do much to this body, although they have refrained we are attempting to do in that region boost the prospects for his success and from stating it; as some have in the of the world has succeeded. will lead to a favorable vote of con- American public, and they have stated As I said to Ambassador Bremer, firmation for him. it; and as some serious press people and when Mr. Talwar and I were there a few I thank the Chair and yield the floor. political pundits and think-tank types months after Saddam fell: ‘‘Mr. Ambas- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. GRA- have—that this is not doable, meaning sador, I want you to understand that I HAM of South Carolina). The Senator the objective I stated, and that we believe if the Lord Almighty came from Delaware. should figure out how, as rapidly as down and gave you the absolute correct Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I rise to possible, to leave Iraq before it im- answer to the first 20 major decisions speak to the Negroponte nomination. plodes. you have to make, you still only have Let me begin where I end up: I think There is a third option, which seems a 65 percent of getting this right.’’ we owe Ambassador Negroponte and to me the only rational option, not- I want to make clear, I understand his wife Diana, quite frankly, a debt of withstanding the fact that the degree this is a difficult deal. I understand gratitude. It takes political courage, of difficulty has increased; and that is, that mistakes would be made no mat- physical courage, and moral courage to we can get the Iraqi people more en- ter who had been President, no matter take on this assignment. I cannot gaged and the world’s major powers to who had been in charge. But I do think think in my years in the Senate of a help us invest in helping the Iraqi peo- we put ourselves in a position where we circumstance where we have placed an ple accomplish the goal of self-govern- started off this occupation having individual into a position where the de- ment. Nothing, in my view, from this made three very fundamental mistakes gree of difficulty in accomplishing his point on will be easy—nothing. Not a that have to be corrected. mission has been as high and the single aspect of this undertaking will One, we can correct. I believe the ad- stakes as profound as Ambassador be easy. ministration significantly exaggerated Negroponte is being positioned now. The chairman and I, from different the imminence of the threat posed by It is unusual, in all my years here of perspectives, independently have been Saddam, thereby squandering an oppor- speaking to and voting on the Ambas- characterized as critics of administra- tunity to build the international con- sadorships and positions of the State tion policy. We both voted for this. We sensus we needed, not to win the war Department, for me to start off by both, in differing degrees, but I think but secure the peace. Committee re- thanking the nominee for being willing on balance in agreement, laid out—this ports we wrote, Democrats and Repub- to take on this responsibility. is not 20/20 hindsight—how difficult we Although the circumstance we find licans in the committee, repeatedly thought the task would be before we ourselves in in Iraq, I think, is still re- started off saying: We do not need went in, and the predicates that should deemable, the degree of difficulty in international help to win the war, but have been laid down to increase the accomplishing our mission has been it will be essential in winning the made extraordinarily more difficult by prospects of success before we went in, peace. As a consequence of the exaggeration the events of the past year and particu- and have independently, together and larly by the revelations of the past sev- with others, from the moment we went of the threat in terms of how imminent eral days. in, met privately, publicly, within the it was, we squandered the opportunity Let me define at the outset once committee and through our personal to isolate the French and the Germans, again—and I apologize to my friend and relationship, with administration offi- who I believe were taking advantage of my chairman for having to hear me say cials and others, argued for a different President Bush’s misstatements and/or this again and again and again and approach or a ratcheting up of the ef- mistakes—unfairly taking advantage. again and again—what I would consider fort in Iraq in a way that could and We lost and squandered the oppor- to constitute success, what our mission would allow for legitimacy for what- tunity to isolate them and, as a con- is. For me—and I have said this from ever government came forward and sequence of that, at the same time to before we went in, and consistently more security on the ground. Because generate much broader international since then—it is leaving the Iraqi peo- security is a precondition, in my view, support so when we did go, there was a ple with a representative government for getting the Iraqi people into a posi- genuine coalition; that there was more of their choosing that is secure within tion where they are willing to take the legitimacy for the undertaking from its own borders and poses no threat to risk—and there will be risk—of raising the outset. its neighbors and does not possess or their heads in an effort to form a gov- The second serious mistake we made seek to possess weapons of mass de- ernment that is not an Iranian model is going in with too few forces, squan- struction or harbor terrorists. That is and not a strongman model. dering the opportunity to wipe out the difficult but doable. It is my hope that This has been made more difficult by Republican Guard, to prevent looting if we are able to help the Iraqi people the fact that, in my view—speaking for and street crime, to secure nearly 1 accomplish that, in time they could myself only—we have squandered every million tons of weapons that are now build political and economic institu- opportunity since the statue of Saddam being used against our troops that were tions that we would recognize as a lib- was pulled down by ropes. Since that left in open depots, to avoid a security eral democracy. But I want to make it moment we have squandered every vacuum that is now being filled by clear what I believe the test of success major opportunity we have had to get common criminals, insurgents and or failure is. this endeavor on the right track. I rogue militias, and outside ‘‘foreign Unfortunately, the Negroponte nomi- want to make clear for anyone who is fighters.’’ It was not as if this was not nation has been swamped by the debate listening that an incredibly large dose a topic of debate before we went. The and the crisis we now face in Iraq and of humility is in order for anyone who way we treated and approached the in the Middle East. So it is necessary stands and suggests that they know the Turks when we wanted the 4th ID to to talk about the policy in Iraq more answer in Iraq. I am not suggesting come through, the arrogance of sug- than about the personality of the indi- that I know with any degree of cer- gesting that we didn’t need that, we vidual we are about to put in place to tainty whether the prescription that I could still move anyway. What would carry out American policy. and others laid out in detail in July, be the status, I ask my friend from

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4954 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 Connecticut, of the Sunni triangle, had ernment that poses no threat to its sounds to us, they are doubtful of our the 4th ID come down from the north neighbors, does not possess weapons of commitment. Are we going to stay? So through the Kurdish area into the tri- mass destruction, or cradle terrorists. I think we need more forces. angle? To find our way from here, it seems Do I expect any Delawarean listening Can I guarantee it would have been to me we have to go back to first prin- to this to be happy with me saying crushed? No. Can I say with certainty ciples. I think one of those first prin- that? No, not one. Am I frustrated that we would be better off than we are ciples is that we cannot want freedom the failure to have the forces we rec- now? Yes. We went with too little for the Iraqi people more than they ommended, that General Shinseki rec- force, too little power. want it. My premise has been—and it is ommended, and others recommended That brings us to the third funda- beginning to evaporate—that the vast but was not followed puts me in the po- mental mistake we made—and I say silent majority of Iraqis want freedom. sition of being the guy calling for more this not to criticize but to set up what They want a representative govern- forces? Purely personally, it makes me I think we have to do from this point ment, but they have been brutalized for angry that I am in the spot of having on. If we can’t determine individually three decades and they have learned to to be the one to deliver bad news to or collectively what the mistakes were keep their heads down, not merely as a folks at home, as if this is my idea. But that put us in this position, how in the consequence of the despot who ruled the fact is, no matter what we say, in devil are we going to get to the right them, but also because of a sense that my view, security requires more force. decision now, if there is one? The third the outside world won’t stick with It is going to require more sacrifice fundamental mistake in getting this them. So they are keeping a pretty low from the middle class and the poor. We right was, we went in with too little le- profile. Consequently, the ‘‘insurgents’’ have to do a much better job of sharing gitimacy. Not only didn’t we have the and others are the face of Iraq, in many the burden here. I want to warn every- rest of the world with us, we decided cases right now. body now. I am going to vote for more for some reason unknown to me—and I The second part of the first principle money for Iraq, but I will introduce my don’t want to bash anybody—that is that we have to create a condition amendment again, that people who are Ahmed Chalabi and the expatriates on the ground which will let them raise willing and able to pay for it now—pay were the answer to legitimacy, and their heads above the crowd and begin for it, us, and not hand the bill to my that initially General Garner, on the to take charge of their own country. granddaughters. I will get back to that one hand, and Chalabi on the other, The most important condition, in my at another time. The second thing in terms of security would move along very quickly. view—so you understand where I am As a consequence, we squandered the coming from—the necessary pre- that we have to do is get a buy-in from opportunity to generate wider support condition for that is security in the the world’s major powers. It is going to be years before Iraq can handle their inside Iraq and in the Arab world and neighborhood, security in the streets, own security. But we cannot sustain among the major powers. security so you can send your daughter Now I have to add to the list of seri- from your home to the corner store to the effort on our own for years. We are ous mistakes that were made these pick up sundries needed for the meal. providing nearly 90 percent of the horribly degrading abuses of jailed That is the overwhelming majority of troops, taking 90 percent of the non- Iraqi casualties, and spending the bulk Iraqis that have made the problem ex- Iraqis, in the personal experience of all of the reconstruction costs. Our troops ponentially worse. I don’t pretend to be of us who have been there, as well as have to be bolstered with troops from an expert on Islam. I don’t pretend to what the polling data shows. NATO, from India and Pakistan, and be an expert in terms of the culture in So that raises a very difficult ques- tion: How could we create security or a from the region. the Arab world. Am I suggesting to you that I am But I, like my chairman, have gone condition for security? There is no sin- naive enough to think we can do it in out and tried to hire for my staff seri- gle step, in my view, that we can take. a big way now? No. But I have done the There is a coordinated series of steps ous experts. I have, as he has and my homework we have all done. I have spo- that would move us toward real secu- friend from Connecticut has and my ken with our Supreme Allied Com- rity in Iraq for the purpose of letting friend from New Mexico has—we have, mander; I have gone to NATO; I have the Iraqis begin to work out their own over the last couple of years, sought sat down with these generals. This is governmental circumstances. The first out the most informed voices in this what they tell me. country about Islam, about the Arab is very unpopular. As my Democratic Immediately, if there is a consensus culture. I went so far, 21⁄2 years or 3 friends here can tell you, when I raise among our NATO allies, we could get years ago, as to go to Harvard and hire it in the caucus, it is not very popular. somewhere between as few as 3,000 and a professor whose expertise is Islam, One is more American troops now. as many as 7,000 NATO troops. Imme- because I was aware of how little I I have, as you have, surveyed not diately they could take over the border knew about the 1.2 billion Muslims in only the existing military force and patrol. Immediately they could take the world. generals, but I have been in contact re- over what is left in the north, although One of the fairly clear conclusions I cently with a total of seven former we depleted many of our forces in the have arrived at, which is no revelation CENTCOM commanders, supreme al- north in the Kurdish area, and/or co- to anyone, is that, as horrible as this lied commanders, and/or generals in ordinate the Polish division in the sounds, we probably would have done charge of the distribution of our forces south, freeing up American forces that less damage to our image and our legit- for the Joint Chiefs of Staff over the are now doing those functions. imacy and our motive had the Iraqi last several years. There is an abso- Why is that important? You say: prisoners been shot, like Saddam and lutely common thread they all have. BIDEN, out of 150,000, 160,000 folks, an- other despots in that region do, than to They have differences as to how many other 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000 troops are have forced them, in some cir- troops we could garner quickly and not going to make much difference cumstances at least, to engage in de- from where we could get them. But here. I argue it makes a significant dif- grading, sexually embarrassing, they all agree on several things. We ference in the buy-in of the major pow- humiliating positions. need more troops, if only for troop pro- ers in the world. That, in turn, would If I am not mistaken, a picture I saw tection. We clearly need more troops, open the door for an appropriate reso- in the paper today was of a naked Iraqi as well, to begin to create the environ- lution authorizing—this from the U.N., prisoner with a leash around his neck. ment of greater security on the ground. not U.N. blue helmets—an authoriza- There are certain things that certain These generals also tell me—these are tion for NATO forces. I believe that cultures take on as a degree of gravity four-star folks, people who have run would bring in, with a lot of diplomacy and depravity that don’t occur in other these shows—that we need to dem- and Presidential leadership, significant communities. onstrate our resolve to our NATO numbers of troops from India, Paki- So now these mistakes have com- friends, European friends, Arab friends, stan, Bangladesh, and from the region. plicated our mission and, I believe, Pakistani friends, all of whom have the But it is a process. genuinely jeopardized our objective: a capacity to help us in one form or an- I do not know what the folks in stable Iraq, with a representative gov- other in this. But as strange as it South Carolina are saying, but I know

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4955 what they are saying in Delaware: ‘‘I place between June 30 and elections Why would other countries join what ain’t doing this alone, JOE.’’ And they being held in January, and call for and looks like a lost cause they did not know if NATO is in, the prestige of the authorize a multinational security support in the first place? It is a rea- major powers is on the line, as well as force under NATO command and U.S. sonable question to ask. For one simple ours, to stay the course. leadership to be the vehicle that pro- reason: It is in their naked self-inter- Our troops have to be bolstered and vides the security. est. For Europeans, Iraq’s failure en- NATO and the surrounding Arab coun- Then, as a final step, I think this dangers the security of their oil supply. tries must be convinced to take on the group—call it a new contact group— They get a significantly higher per- urgent responsibility of training Iraqi should go to the U.N. and seek a secu- centage of their oil from the region armed forces and police. rity council blessing for this agree- than we do. It is in their interest be- I might add, the Germans and the ment. cause they have large Muslim popu- French offered that right after I have no illusions about the U.N. lations that could be radicalized. It is Saddam’s statue fell if, in fact, we were being able to bring anything special to in their interest because of the threat- willing to get authorization for that Iraq, but its blessing is necessary to ening destabilization of refugee flows from the U.N. provide political cover to leaders whose that would be created if a civil war The neighboring Arab countries are people oppose the war and who will breaks out. It is in their interest be- fully capable of training some of these now be asked to sacrifice to build the cause it is their front yard, and we may forces. Clearly, the Europeans have peace. To paraphrase George Will, it be creating a new, huge source of ter- even greater experience in training po- may be a necessary mask to hide the rorism if the result is not a civil elec- lice forces, all of which are urgently American face. And George Will is no tion, but a civil war. needed. fan of the U.N. For Iraq’s neighbors, a civil war in Many say this cannot be done. I know Simultaneously, the President should Iraq would draw them in—i.e., the from the very serious people in the be going to NATO. NATO cannot take Kurds, the Turks, the Iranians. It press, they look at me and privately it on right away, and I will not go back would put moderates in the region on say to me: Senator, great idea, too through this again, but it can do a lot. the shelf for another generation. It late, man; get real. What can really be It would free up, I am told, as many as would put radicals in the driver’s seat, done? 20,000 American troops, open the door and I think it would threaten the very Look, the President does not collect to participation by countries such as survival of the regimes in Jordan, his paycheck—no President collects his India and Pakistan, and send an impor- Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. paycheck—by managing. He gets paid tant message to the American people Would what I am suggesting be dif- to lead. that we are not bearing the security ficult to achieve? You bet. The bar has We had before our committee two burden in Iraq virtually alone. been raised here. The degree of dif- men I have high regard for, Mark By the way, when I go home, the peo- ficulty is exponentially greater. Will it Grossman from the State Department ple say to me: Well, the Brits are with guarantee success? No. But I know of and Peter Rodman from the Defense us, JOE? Americans do not know there no other alternative than to try. Department. I asked Secretary Rod- are only 7,500 Brits there, God bless In light of all the mistakes we made, man what we’re doing to get NATO to them, in all their bravery—7,500. We no one can guarantee success, but if we participate. He said, and I’m para- have, what, 160,000 Americans in the re- do not do this, I think success will, in phrasing here: We have already asked, gion? As JOHN KERRY suggested, it fact, be near impossible. which is mildly disingenuous. I do not seems to me we should also make the If the President does do all of what know anybody who has been here very training of Iraqi security forces a much we are talking about, it is not going to long who can name for me anything, more urgent mission than we have thus be enough to put us on the path to suc- other than declaring article V invoked, far but we must understand it will take cess given the revelations of this week, that NATO has done spontaneously time and that it needs to be done right. the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. As I said without U.S. leadership without a spe- When I was in Iraq last summer, our before, no single act I can think of, cific plan being brought to NATO, sold specialists told me it would take five other than maybe the bombing of the to NATO, and negotiating with NATO years to recruit and train a police force holiest shrines in Najaf loaded with pil- in Brussels through Presidential lead- of 75,000 and three years to recruit and grims, could have been worse for Amer- ership. The President has to commit to train an army of 40,000. Instead, the ica’s image than what has happened, sell this. Administration rushed 150,000 Iraqis notwithstanding the fact that it does Going to the U.N. is necessary, but it into uniform with minimal vetting and not represent American troops, it does is not sufficient. Let’s not get into this training. When trouble came, many not represent American values, it does sort of ideological war that has taken abandoned their posts. not represent what the American peo- place in the 30 years I have been here Here, too, other countries could play ple believe needs be done. about the U.N. The President has to a potentially decisive role. For exam- The facts are appalling and so is the win support of key countries first be- ple, the Europeans have greater exper- symbolism. Ironically, the abuses took fore he goes to the U.N., or before tise than we do in training police. Even place in the same prison that Saddam someone goes to the U.N., and then the the French told me that under the made himself famous for his torture of U.N. has to engage a Security Council right conditions they would be willing his opponents. As a result, I am con- resolution to give those major coun- to train Iraqi police. Our friends in the cerned that even if we do everything I tries the political justification for region, including Jordan, Egypt, and just outlined in which several of us going to their constituencies and say- Morocco, could host training sessions have been advocating for months, we ing: I want to get in a deal you didn’t for Iraqi police, border security forces, will not be able to muddle through the want me in, in the first place; it looks and the military. They could, in fact, so-called transition of sovereignty on like it is going bad now, but is nec- take American-trained Arab officers June 30 and then the elections next essary for our security—ours, meaning from Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan and year. The revelations have so damaged France, England, Germany, wherever, embed them with Iraqi forces in Iraq our prospects of success that I believe any country. now, a la Fallujah. the only way to recover is to do some- The President should immediately, in There are a lot of specific ideas I will thing equally dramatic in a positive my view, in light of the recent revela- not bore my colleagues with now that sense. I think we need to make this tions convene a summit of the major are not new to me. I am getting these less about us and more about the Iraqi powers with the most at stake in Iraq, from serious people who have run the people. including those from the Arab world. show in that region of the world, mili- The Iraqi people are going to wake up The objectives for this group should be tary forces. But by doing this, it seems on July 1 and still see 140,000 American to endorse the Brahimi plan for a care- to me, we can significantly speed up troops out their window, patrols going taker government, propose a senior the day when the Iraqis can provide by in Humvees at 40 miles an hour. international figure to referee the po- their own security and Americans can They will still lack security and they litical disputes that are going to take come home. will still be seething about the abuse of

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4956 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 the prison scandal. And they will con- Shi’a south, it is a gamble, but it is forward apology to the Iraqi people. I tinue to blame us for everything that better than an even chance that mod- hope this Senate, in the resolution the has gone wrong in the country. erate Shi’a would emerge if given an leadership of Republican and Demo- I ask any of my colleagues who are opportunity for elections, and they cratic leaders is drafting for consider- listening whether there is any possi- would finally use their power and influ- ation in the Senate on this issue will bility, no matter what the interim gov- ence to defeat Sadr and other radicals contain that kind of straightforward ernment is, that they will be able to, among them. apology to the Iraqi people. I think even if they want to, vote to keep The U.N. has a team in place now to that is an appropriate message for all American forces in their country after prepare for elections in January. Let’s of us to embrace. July 1, when they are ostensibly in speak with Brahimi and see if we can Much needs to be done in order to charge? Even as we move to increase speed up that process and make elec- correct the situation that has oc- security and bring the rest of the world tions the next step in the transition curred. I suggest one starting point in, there are four things we have to do plan. would be the following. right away, and I will end with this. I realize this is a fairly radical pro- First, a full accounting about who we First, we should today announce that posal, but I believe we need a fairly have detained and what the adminis- the Red Crescent, the Red Cross, the radical proposal. This should focus on tration plan has been and is for these international community, should be what the Iraqi people need now, and we detainees; not just in Iraq but in Af- able to come into every prison in Iraq, should demonstrate that everything in ghanistan, in Guantanamo, wherever open them up and put the international our mission is to turn this over as rap- our military is detaining foreigners, we community permanently in the prisons idly and clearly as possible. need to come clean about what our in- as observers. I close with this one rhetorical ques- tentions are and what actions we have Second, we have to establish a cred- tion: The chairman of the Foreign Re- taken. ible, independent investigation of the lations Committee has been pointing Second, as to all detainees, we need abuses and go as high in the command out, what about the conundrum when to fully comply with the Geneva Con- chain as the facts lead us and demand the interim government is appointed vention. That means providing each of accountability. and it concludes we should not be send- them an opportunity for a hearing, an Third, we should close the Abu ing troops to Fallujah? I think there is opportunity to argue to someone they Ghraib prison, work with the Iraqi peo- a more basic question than that. What are improperly being detained. As to ple on a plan to destroy it or convert it happens now that 70 percent of the detainees who are not a threat to our to a monument. We cannot do that pre- Iraqi people now think we should get troops or to our national interests and cipitously because we need to build out? By the time this prison scandal is about whom we do not have evidence of other facilities to house 5,000 prisoners. over, it is going to be 90 percent. What criminal activity, we need to release Possibly we should do as was rec- happens when we appoint the new Iraqi those detainees. Obviously, if they pose ommended by the State Department government and give it partial sov- and release a significant number of a threat to U.S. forces or a threat to ereignty and right out of the box they U.S. interests, then they should be those prisoners who, according to some say, Get out of Dodge? in the State Department, need not be charged and they should be prosecuted. We better do something quickly or But if they pose no such threat, they detained in the first place. Negroponte’s Herculean efforts are Fourthly, and this is the most con- should be released. likely to be for naught. According to the morning paper, the troversial thing I suspect I am going to I yield the floor. say in the minds of my colleagues, in President has privately chided the Sec- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- retary of Defense. This is an unusual coordination with the Brahimi plan, we ator from New Mexico. should hold snap elections now, ideally way to conduct business here in Wash- Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ington, but I am never surprised any- early this summer, to create the equiv- support the nomination of Ambassador alent of a loya jirga where on a com- more about how business is conducted. Negroponte. He is assuming an ex- I heard the statement on the news that munity level across Iraq they will hold tremely difficult position. I wish him down and dirty elections to elect those the President was standing behind the well in this new position, and I com- Secretary of Defense. Then I opened who will write this new constitution. mend him for his willingness to take it I want to see pictures and debates the paper this morning and it said a on, quite frankly. senior White House official said the about whether people are getting shot One of the most difficult problems he President has privately admonished going to the polls, scrambling going to will face is how we correct the percep- the Secretary of Defense; that: the polls, arguing about whether the tions and the reality that have come to election is free or not. I want this light with regard to abuse and humilia- . . . Bush is ‘‘not satisfied’’ and ‘‘not happy’’ with the way that Rumsfeld informed him about the Iraqi people. tion of prisoners in Iraq. I want to say This election will be far from perfect, about the investigation into the abuses of a few words about that issue today as U.S. soldiers at Baghdad’s Abu Ghraib prison but they could use their oil-for-food ra- well. tion cards as proof of registration and or the quantity of information that Rums- I congratulate and commend BG feld provided, the senior White House official get on with it quickly as part of the Mark Kimmitt for the statement he said. transition that is already envisioned made yesterday at a press briefing in Then it goes on to point out the sen- for the total free election in November Baghdad. He gave what I consider to be ior White House official did: of 2006 of an actual government. a straightforward, unambiguous apol- The Iraqis would elect government . . . refuse to be named, so that he could ogy to the Iraqi people for what has oc- representatives at a local level who speak more candidly. curred. In my view, that is the message would come together, as I said, the As I say, I am always amazed by the that all of us in positions of responsi- equivalent of a loya jirga. goings on in our Government. But I am bility should be conveying to the Iraqi Until now, I believed that, provided glad to see the President shares some people on this issue. His statement was the caretaker government was selected of the frustration I and many of us as follows: by a respected international figure here in Congress have had about the with buy-in from the Iraqis, not the My Army’s been embarrassed by this. My lack of full information, the lack of Army’s been shamed by this. And on behalf U.S., it would pass the legitimacy test. adequate knowledge about what is of my Army, I apologize for what those sol- going on. In order to remedy the situa- In the wake of the prison incident, I do diers did to your citizens. It was reprehen- not think that is possible. sible and it was unacceptable. And it is more tion, I recommend the President start The big obstacle would be security, than just words, that we have to take those by demanding a quick and a full re- especially in the Sunni triangle. And words into action and ensure that never hap- sponse to the following questions: How there is the certain prospect that some pens again. And we will make a full-faith ef- many people have we detained in Iraq, people will be elected that we will not fort to ensure that never happens again. in Afghanistan, and in other parts of like. Frankly, I regret the President did the world? Who have we detained? Who But the vast bulk of the country not use his opportunity in his inter- have we taken into custody? How many could handle elections now. In the views to make the same straight- of them are still in custody, and to

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4957 those who are not still in custody, going back now apparently as late as is not who we are. This is not what we what has happened to them? last November, indicate a very serious stand for. We are a nation of laws. That There is a report that there are in- problem. But before getting into the is what we have stated over and over vestigations about 25 deaths that have details of that, speaking for myself— again. occurred among detainees in Iraq. and I am quite confident that I speak A few moments ago, my colleague Where are these prisoners being de- for my colleagues here, and others—it from New Mexico and I were having a tained? Where in Iraq are they being is very clear that while this is a serious conversation about these abuses. He detained? Which prisons? How many in problem, the overwhelming majority of eloquently pointed out that our Con- each prison? Where in Afghanistan are the more than 130,000 American men stitution is based on the fundamental they being detained? Which prisons? and women in uniform who are oper- concept and idea that it is not just Where are they located? How long have ating in Iraq are good, decent and car- what we do, but how we do things. The these detainees been in custody? How ing people, who would never allow this founders of this country could have set many have been charged with crimes? kind of activity to occur on their up any kind of a system. But they Are we intending to charge these de- watch. So I want to begin by thanking picked a system that in many ways is tainees with crimes? If not, what are them. This is a very difficult service terribly inefficient. That is because we intending with regard to these de- they are engaged in. they wanted to make sure not only tainees? Certainly those who are responsible that we would do the right thing, but What is our position regarding our for these acts and those who condoned that we do it the right way—that the obligations under the Geneva Conven- or allowed them to happen need to be ends do not justify the means; the tion with regard to military detainees, brought to a bar of justice as soon as means are also important. with regard to civilian detainees? How possible. It is why a generation ago when there can we justify continued detention of But I think it would be a mistake if were trials to prosecute those who were people in each of these categories? we allowed our disgust with these guilty of the crimes committed by the Another set of questions I believe the abuses to somehow cause those who are Nazi regime, every single one of those President should insist upon answers in uniform, serving in Iraq today, to defendants at Nuremberg had a lawyer to, is what has happened to any pris- believe that there is any feeling here and had the right to present evidence. oners we have transferred to third that this is an indictment of all of Some people suggested that those on countries? How many captives have we them. It certainly is not. trial in Nuremberg ought to be sum- in fact turned over to other countries Let me be clear—my disagreements marily executed—that they shouldn’t for questioning? Which countries? with U.S. policy and how this whole have a trial. After all, these were Pakistan? Israel? Other nations? What matter of Iraq has been handled, as dreadful human beings who committed are the policies and practices of those well as the actions of what seem to be dreadful and unspeakable crimes. But countries with regard to torture of only a few, in no way diminish my ad- cooler heads and wiser heads prevailed prisoners and treatment of prisoners? miration and respect for those in uni- and asserted that there is a huge dif- Have they been afforded their Geneva form who are serving in Iraq or any- ference between Western civilization Convention rights in those countries? where else. and the Nazis, not the least of which is What is the status of those prisoners However, these reports of abuses are that we do things differently. And by now? very disturbing. And they are not only holding these trials, we set an example. This is obviously a partial list of unacceptable, they are possibly viola- Unfortunately, the events that have questions. The American public de- tions of United States law and inter- just become known over the last sev- serves answers to these questions. The national law. Moreover, it is obvious eral days indicate, at least in this in- President deserves answers to these that this matter has not been treated stance, that we did not do things any questions. Those of us in Congress de- with the urgency it warrants. If in fact differently in the eyes of many than serve answers to these questions. If we the reports are accurate, these events the dreadful regime we overthrew a are serious about taking corrective ac- may have occurred as early as last No- year ago—the regime of Saddam Hus- tion to deal with the abuses that have vember or December, and they are only sein. That is what I worry about. This been disclosed, then in my view, at now coming to light—primarily, it ap- does damage to the United States. It least, answering these kinds of basic pears, because there are photographs. I does damage to people like Mark questions is an essential starting point. suspect that had this been an account Kimmitt who spoke eloquently yester- I yield the floor. reported in some written document, day about his Army. And I worry about The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. without any photographic evidence, it our men and women all over the globe SMITH). The Senator from Connecticut. might not be receiving the kind of at- who put themselves in jeopardy for our Mr. DODD. Mr. President, before he tention it deserves. country—not only in that the reports leaves the floor, let me thank my col- Obviously these allegations of abuse of these abuses could cause an increase league from New Mexico for his must be quickly investigated, and in violence against them, but I worry thoughtful comments. I certainly want those responsible for these reprehen- about what might happen if, heaven to associate myself with them. I, too, sible acts brought to justice. Those in forbid, they are apprehended, and how want to commend General Kimmett for the chain of command as well, who they may be treated. his very concise, clear, unambiguous failed to discharge their duties effec- I know the matter before the Senate statement yesterday. I was moved by tively to detect and prevent such ac- is the nomination of John Negroponte. it. tions, need to be sanctioned, including, I support that nomination. We have I was moved by the personal pronoun to put it simply, fired. had our difficulties over the years, one ‘‘my,’’ too—‘‘my Army.’’ This is some- Again, I want to emphasize that the going back to his days in Honduras one who dedicated his life—in fact, the majority of our service men and women when there were issues of human rights Kimmett family has one of the most are not to blame. I can not stress this violations. I know Ambassador distinguished records of any American point enough. The overwhelming ma- Negroponte. He has been a good ambas- family when it comes to serving the jority of our troops are doing a superb sador in other capacities, a good am- U.S. Government in uniform. Mark and job under very difficult circumstances. bassador at the U.N. He has done a his family have worn that uniform They are putting their lives at risk good job in Mexico. We have worked to- proudly. Over the years, numerous every single day for this country. gether since our days of difficulty more members of his family have. I could Indeed, what has happened here, than 20 years ago. I am confident John feel the pain of Mark Kimmett’s senti- what has occurred, also puts all of Negroponte can do a good job, particu- ments in those brief comments he these honorable men and women who larly, I hope, in the area of human made so eloquently yesterday. are serving, not only in Iraq but else- rights. He will be in charge of what I It is on that note that I would like to where, at risk. These abuses damage am told will become the largest U.S. begin my remarks. Clearly the events not only the victims, but our troops. mission anywhere on the globe. And I of the last several days, the revelations And they also damage America—they am hopeful that John Negroponte, we have become aware of, the events do great damage to our country. This when he is confirmed—and I believe he

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4958 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 will be—will grab this issue and do Moreover, we owe it to the more than But we will only get that chance if what has to be done to get our work in 130,000 honorable and dedicated U.S. we make amends fully and completely. Iraq on track. troops currently risking their lives in That is why the administration must The responsibility for these abuses Iraq to ensure that those who are found move quickly and publicly to bring the that have occurred in Iraq goes beyond guilty of these crimes be punished to criminals who committed these abuses a few low-level bad apples. That is the fullest extent possible. Anything to justice. We must also take back di- what worries me. This is clearly a less would be a great disservice to all rect responsibilities related to the ad- problem of mismanagement at very of these brave men and women in uni- ministration of Iraq from private con- high levels, which the Bush adminis- form who now face a much more dif- tractors and assume responsibility for tration needs to get a handle on, and ficult task than winning the hearts and what are clearly official and delicate quickly. If that means high-ranking of- minds of the Iraqi people. functions which have profound foreign ficials need to be replaced, then that is Equally troubling is that these dis- policy implications if not handled a judgment that we shouldn’t dismiss graceful acts have been made possible properly. out of hand. by the administration’s rigid philos- Mr. President, the sooner we do these After all, we are currently in the ophy of outsourcing jobs and responsi- things, the sooner we can get back on throes of trying to prove that we want bility. This time, though, it outsourced track helping the Iraqi people build a to help Iraqis create a new and demo- much of our mission in Iraq, respon- democratic and just society that re- cratic Iraq, and that in doing so we will sibilities that should be given to well- flects their own values and aspirations. respect Iraqi and Arab culture and tra- trained military personnel. The admin- Ambassador Negroponte can play a dition. It does not take much of an istration has outsourced these respon- critical role in making that happen, imagination to figure out the disas- sibilities to private military firms and I am therefore pleased that the trous consequences of these abuses, not (PMFs), that are virtually unregulated Senate is poised to approve his nomina- only with respect to U.S. policy in Iraq by our Government or any other. tion today. I fully support moving but with respect to our policies I don’t support the outsourcing ahead to confirm him for this critical throughout the greater Middle East. American jobs abroad and I don’t think post. Over the past week, newspapers we should give our military duties to The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- throughout the world have carried independent contractors, either. In- ator has used his 15 minutes. Mr. DODD. Mr. President, if I might headlines about these abuses. Not only deed, reportedly, there are as many as have an additional minute or 2. in English speaking countries, obvi- 20,000 private military firm personnel The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without ously—Arab language newspapers have currently working in Iraq. It appears objection, it is so ordered. also carried the stories with headlines that no chain of accountability exists NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER such as ‘‘The Scandal’’ and ‘‘The for their actions, that no universal Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I would Shame.’’ rules exist to govern their operation in also like to bring to the attention of Anyone who knows anything about coordination with U.S. and coalition my colleagues an article from today’s Arab culture will know this much: troops. Most disturbing, according to Washington Post. It was on page A–3 Honor and respect are valued highly. reports, these private military firms’ carried over to page A–6, and it worries Many of these abuses with sexual over- personnel have been directly involved me deeply because it goes to what I am tones were directly aimed at damaging in some of these crimes. fearful may have had some underlying the honor of Iraqis or forcing them to I ask my colleagues, is it any sur- and undercurrent effect on the events do things in contravention of their prise to learn that members of an un- of the last several days. It seems to most deeply held beliefs. regulated group of paramilitaries is al- speak to the extent that we are dehu- Let’s not forget these abuses oc- leged to have committed human rights manizing and minimizing and casting curred in the very same prison Saddam abuses? this pall of accusation over an entire Hussein used to torture Iraqis. Now And I would ask the President of the religious group in the world. this prison has served as a source of al- United States and the Secretary of De- Senator BIDEN pointed out in his re- legations of sexual abuse, psycho- fense—why were private contractors marks here this morning that 1.2 bil- logical torture, and even murder. taking part in U.S. military interroga- lion people are observers of the Muslim In the minds of Iraqis and those in tions? And since when do we assign to faith. the Arab world, what is to separate non-official personnel the most critical And today is a national day of prayer these acts from past abuses? and delicate task to our military oper- in the U.S. It began with a resolution Certainly the scope of these abuses ations—unregulated personnel, I might adopted in the Truman administration does not compare to those that oc- add. in 1952 and has been followed every curred under Saddam Hussein, but the I am sure many agree that the use of year since then. When Harry Truman unacceptability of these acts is not these companies in sensitive military signed the congressional resolution he something we should attempt to meas- situations certainly raises some omi- called for ‘‘a suitable day each year ure in quantitative terms. Surely we nous questions. That is why last week other than a Sunday to be set aside for hold ourselves, I hope, to an entirely I sent a letter to the GAO along with common prayer.’’ Every administra- different and higher standard than that four of my colleagues—Senator FEIN- tion since 1952 has taken that day out with which we judged Saddam Hussein. GOLD, Senator REID, Senator LEAHY, of the calendar year to focus on com- Moreover, diplomacy is a delicate and Senator CORZINE—requesting that mon prayer. And it was under the game, and one mistake by the world’s GAO investigators undertake an exten- Reagan administration that the first superpower reverberates around the sive investigation into the employment Thursday of May was set aside as the globe to the detriment of our foreign of these firms in Iraq. permanent day each year. policy. It is going to make the job of I am hopeful, given the increasing vi- I cannot tell you how disturbing it Ambassador Negroponte—when the ma- olence in that country and recent re- was to read in this morning’s paper a jority leader decides to move on his ports of abuse, including reports of quote from one of the organizers of this nomination—all the more difficult. As abuse by private contractors, that the year’s day of prayer. The quote was difficult as his job was going to be General Accounting Office will expe- buried away, but let me read it, be- prior to the emergence of these allega- dite this investigation and answer all cause it actually goes to the heart of tions, it is exponentially more so of the questions posed. Our troops, our what we are talking about. We are told today. mission in Iraq, and the American tax- here, this morning, that they would Given the situation, I urge Ambas- payer deserve a prompt, independent, make ‘‘no apologies’’ in today’s cele- sador Negroponte, when he is con- and careful look into this matter. bration of prayer ‘‘about the exclusion firmed, to draw on his previous experi- Mr. President, if we are lucky, we of Muslims and others outside of the ence to make the protections of human may get a second chance to dem- ‘Judeo-Christian tradition’ from cere- rights in Iraq a top priority. onstrate to the Iraqi people and the monies planned by the task force on I am stating the obvious. But these Arab world that we came to Iraq for Capitol Hill and in state capitals across abuses must not occur again. good—not abuse. the country.’’

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4959 ‘‘They are free to have their own na- The event’s organizers denied that it In Salt Lake City, Mormons have com- tional day of prayer if they want to,’’ amounts to a tacit political endorsement. plained that they are not allowed to lead she said. ‘‘We’re in an election year, and we believe prayers during the local observance. Well, if you have that attitude about God cares who’s in those positions of author- In Oklahoma City, the Rev. W. Bruce Pres- ity,’’ said Mark Fried, spokesman for the Na- common prayer today, and you exclude cott has planned an interfaith ceremony on tional Day of Prayer Task Force. ‘‘But we’re the steps of the state Capitol today to pro- religious groups from a national day of not endorsing a candidate—just praying that test the exclusively Christian ceremony in- prayer, then what have we come to? God’s hand will be on the election.’’ side the building. ‘‘As a Baptist preacher, it’s I might point out as well, because the The private task force, which operates hard for me to protest prayer,’’ he said. Presiding Officer will appreciate this— from the Colorado headquarters of the Chris- ‘‘What I’d rather do is see if we can’t find a my wife pointed this out to me this tian organization Focus on the Family, has way to do it right.’’ encouraged the nation’s churches to organize morning—in Salt Lake City, Mormons Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I yield the have complained that they are not al- potluck suppers and pipe the ceremony into their sanctuaries. It will be taped in mid- floor. lowed to lead prayers during today’s afternoon in the East Room and re-broadcast The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- observance. I don’t know how you have during a three-hour, late evening ‘‘Concert of ator’s time has expired. a national prayer day in Salt Lake Prayer’’ featuring Christian music stars and The Senator from Rhode Island. City and exclude the Mormons from other luminaries, such as Bruce Wilkinson, Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unan- participating. author of the best-selling ‘‘Prayer of Jabez.’’ imous consent that in addition to my But this sort of attitude where we are ‘‘This feed is available to any network any- time, I receive 10 minutes from Senator where in the world free of charge, but only going to selectively choose religious HARKIN. groups that can be involved, and the religious networks have an inclination to pick it up,’’ Wright said. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without particular reference here to the exclu- Fried said this year’s theme is ‘‘Let Free- objection, it is so ordered. sion of anyone who might be of the dom Ring.’’ He described it as the evan- Mr. REED. Thank you, Mr. Presi- Muslim faith, is troubling to me be- gelical response to efforts to remove the dent. cause it is that sort of an attitude that words ‘‘under God’’ from the Pledge of Alle- Mr. President, we are currently en- contributes to the dehumanization of giance and keep the Ten Commandments out gaged in a fierce battle to salvage people and casts aspersions on an en- of public buildings. ‘‘Our theme is, there is a small group of ac- something, anything, from the admin- tire group of people. tivists unleashing an all-out assault on our istration’s effort at regime change and Indeed, as we talk about what has oc- religious freedoms. They are targeting the reconstruction in Iraq. Each day, the curred as a result of the actions of a Christian faith,’’ he said. costs in lives and dollars accumulate, few bad apples, I point out the story in The National Day of Prayer has been cele- as the Iraqi people become more res- today’s newspaper because I think that brated every year since 1952, when President tive and impatient. International and the attitude of exclusion expressed in Harry S. Truman signed a congressional res- olution calling for ‘‘a suitable day each year, regional support for our efforts is erod- the story contributes to an environ- ing at a time when an international ef- ment, if you will, that somehow makes other than a Sunday to be set aside for com- mon prayer. fort, as distinct from the administra- these abuses permissible in the minds Under President Ronald Reagan, the date tion’s unilateral approach, may be the of some—that somehow these people was set permanently as the first Thursday in only effective way to change the polit- are undeserving of the kind of treat- May. Since the mid-1980s, the ceremony has ical dynamic and allow us to avoid ment that every other human ought to been organized by the nonprofit task force headed by two prominent evangelical being trapped in a long, bloody, and un- receive—particularly in the hands of a certain conflict. nation that prides itself on being gov- women: Vonette Bright, widow of Campus Crusade for Christ founder Bill Bright, and Many Americans are asking how we erned by the rule of law and which re- came to this point. Some are asking spects individual rights. Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder James C. Dobson. why we must remain. The President Mr. President, I ask unanimous con- As in recent years, today’s observances has responded with a slogan: ‘‘We must sent that the article in today’s Wash- will begin with a congressional prayer ses- not waiver.’’ What we need is a plan, a ington Post entitled ‘‘Bush to Appear sion on Capitol Hill in the morning, followed plan based on reality, not on ideology. On Christian TV For Prayer Day’’ be by the afternoon ceremony at the White The administration launched the pre- printed in the RECORD. House. Under President Bill Clinton, Bright There being no objection, the mate- said in an interview this week, the White emptive attack on Iraq to counter, ac- rial was ordered to be printed in the House observance was private and ‘‘very defi- cording to their claims, the over- RECORD, as follows: nitely lower key’’ than under Bush, who has whelming danger of Iraqi weapons of invited print and television coverage each mass destruction and alleged ties be- BUSH TO APPEAR ON CHRISTIAN TV FOR year. PRAYER DAY tween Saddam Hussein and terrorists. Although ‘‘we were disappointed’’ with In the last year, no weapons of mass (By Alan Cooperman) Clinton’s low-profile celebration, Bright President Bush’s participation in a Na- said, evangelicals did not make that senti- destruction have been found, and no tional Day of Prayer ceremony with evan- ment public. ‘‘We have as enthusiastically strong link has been established be- gelical Christian leaders at the White House promoted the Day of Prayer when Democrats tween Saddam and terrorists. Iron- will be shown tonight, for the first time in were in office as when they were not,’’ she ically, today, there is no shortage of prime-time viewing hours, on Christian cable said, adding that any ‘‘politicization’’ of the terrorists in Iraq. They have been and satellite TV outlets nationwide. Day of Prayer ‘‘would be so unfortunate.’’ drawn there not by Saddam but by his For Bush, the broadcast is an opportunity Bright did not hesitate, however, to ex- demise. to address a sympathetic evangelical audi- press admiration for Bush: ‘‘I don’t think he Now, the administration returns to ence without the risk of alienating secular has a political agenda of his own. I think or non-Christian viewers, because it will not he’s really trying to do what would please the subtext of its justification for pre- be carried in full by the major television net- God.’’ emptive action in the fall of 2002, the works. Frank Wright, president of the Na- She also made no apologies about the ex- unalloyed evil of Saddam. That, of tional Association of Religious Broadcasters, clusion of Muslims and others outside of the course, is a point beyond debate; in- said more than a million evangelicals are ex- ‘‘Judeao-Christian tradition’’ from cere- deed, a point that was acknowledged by pected to see the broadcast. monies planned by the task force on Capitol all sides during the debate in the fall of Some civil liberties groups and religious Hill and in state capitals across the country. 2002. minorities charged that the National Day of ‘‘They are free to have their own national Prayer has lost its nonpartisan veneer and is day of prayer if they want to,’’ she said. ‘‘We When Secretary Wolfowitz testified being turned into a platform for evangelical are a Christian task force.’’ recently before the Senate Armed groups to endorse Bush—and vice versa. The White House press office and presi- Services Committee, he continually re- ‘‘Over the years, the National Day of Pray- dential adviser Karl Rove’s office did not re- iterated the depravity of Saddam er has gradually been adopted more and spond to calls seeking comment on the Na- stressing, in his words, the ‘‘density of more by the religious right, and this year in tional Day of Prayer observances. evil’’ that gripped Iraq under Saddam. particular there is such an undercurrent of Organizers said some Jewish rabbis, Catho- Looking backward at Saddam will not partisanship because for the first time they lic clergy and mainline Protestants have are broadcasting Bush’s message in an elec- been invited to the congressional and White help us find a way ahead today. Today, tion year,’’ said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, ex- House ceremonies. But the exclusion of reli- more relevant than the ‘‘density of ecutive director of Americans United for gious minorities has led to protests in sev- evil’’ that gripped Iraq is the ‘‘density Separation of Church and State. eral cities. of illusion’’ that continues to grip the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4960 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 administration and the Pentagon. The credible and effective Iraqi security that is turning the people of Iraq to be- administration and the Pentagon stub- forces is imperative, but not just be- come resentful of our presence. bornly cling to illusions about the situ- cause it reduces the burden and the The administration has also, to- ation in Iraq. Let me suggest some of threat to our forces. It is imperative gether with the Pentagon, consistently the most salient. we establish these forces because today underestimated the number of troops For months, they have attempted to our goals for Iraq are being thwarted necessary for the successful occupation convince the world—and, perhaps, by a climate of violence that affects of Iraq. Secretary Rumsfeld and Gen- themselves—that Iraqi security forces every Iraqi and saps their willingness eral Franks adroitly planned the air were capable of making a significant to commit to the reform of their coun- and ground campaign that shattered contribution to establish order and to try. the Iraqi army in a matter of days. defeat the insurgency. No such capa- We often see the violence in Iraq as They correctly judged our over- bility exists at this time, and it may those attacks against our forces. When whelming technological advantages, take years to train a competent and we do, we miss the pervasive and dis- together with the extraordinary cour- cohesive force that can assume the se- turbing violence that touches the lives age and skill of our fighting forces, curity role in Iraq that currently falls of every Iraqi and, in a cruel irony, has would quickly overwhelm the much primarily upon the United States. many Iraqis comparing the order under larger Iraqi forces. But winning a swift For months, the Pentagon regaled us Saddam with the chronic disorder victory over a conventional military with charts showing the astronomical under the United States. force is not the same as successfully and rapid growth of Iraqi security The following is an article, trans- occupying a large country with a popu- forces from mere handfuls to hundreds lated from Arabic, in the April 25th lation of 25 million. of thousands. They repeatedly stressed edition of Al Manar, a newspaper from From the beginning, our forces, in- the proportional decrease of the Amer- Baghdad: cluding international allies, were in- sufficient to physically and psycho- ican presence as a sign of progress. All The Iraqi society has never known or, even in U.S. gang movies, seen such acts of logically dominate the scene. The ab- this was wishful thinking and political looting, robbery, and murder as the current sence or limited presence of coalition spinning. crimes taking place in Iraq today, which forces in many parts of Iraq gave the The last few weeks have revealed the cause newborn’s hair to turn gray. The fact that a significant number of Iraqi insurgents opportunities to organize crimes have become so common that hardly and the perception they could initiate security forces are ill prepared, ill an hour passes without hearing that some hostile actions against our forces. One equipped, and unmotivated. people are being plundered or a number of A Washington Post article pointed cars are being stolen. The drivers of the new of the first clues I had suggesting a out that on April 5, a new Iraqi bat- and expensive cars have become a target for lack of adequate forces was the brief- talion of several hundred Iraqi soldiers the thieves and burglars. ing I received last July from the 4th In- Someone may think that such crimes fantry Division in Kirkuk on my first refused to join U.S. Marines in the of- occur in other places at night; however, the fensive in Fallujah. In the south, police trip to Iraq. I was taken aback, frank- strange thing is that in Iraq, they take place ly, to learn there were hundreds, if not units as well as members of the Iraqi during the day for everyone to see. In addi- thousands, of Iraqi ammo dumps. Many Civilian Defense Corps, equivalent to tion, the numbers of these looting gangs of them were totally unsecured while the National Guard of the United have become very well known to the ordi- others had some security barriers but States, refused to engage Sadr’s forces. nary citizens of Baghdad. A few days ago, my relative’s car was sto- were not secured by military per- MG Martin Dempsey, commander of len at gun point in Baghdad, but he managed sonnel. This was the case all over the the 1st Armored Division in Iraq, esti- to escape without being physically harmed country. mated that one in 10 members of the or injured in the incident. Having recovered Today munitions in these ammo Iraqi security forces actually worked from the shock a few days later, his friends dumps are being used to craft the im- against the U.S. forces and 40 percent advised him to meet with a former gang leader who enjoyed considerable status and provised explosive devices that bedevil simply walked away from their post be- our forces. This is one example indi- cause of intimidation during the recent reputation among the members of the other criminal gangs. Having no other option, my cating additional troops could have violence in Fallujah and in the south of relative went to see the guy who promised to been used effectively. Iraq. take him to the gangs operating in the zone Another indication of the insufficient The Pentagon likely had indications where his car was stolen. number of coalition military forces is of problems with these forces. Several As promised, the man secretly took my the proliferation of private security months ago MG Karl Eikenberry was relative to meet well known gangsters where forces. Why is it necessary to have one of them congratulated him [my relative] dispatched to Iraq to conduct a survey 20,000 armed private security guards in of Iraqi security forces. General for his good luck because his car was stolen by a gang ‘‘that only steals cars but does not Iraq performing essential military du- Eikenberry is an extremely competent kill the owners; otherwise, you would have ties? The answer is simple. We did not and experienced officer who played a been killed if it was another gang.’’ The deploy sufficient military forces. These key role in establishing the new na- strange thing is that most of the gangsters private security forces are generally tional army in Afghanistan after Oper- are young boys between the age of 15 and 20 highly trained professionals, typically ation Enduring Freedom. years. After several terrifying trips, my relative veterans of our special operations For many weeks, I have been at- forces. But their presence raises nu- tempting to obtain this report to be- found his car when tough negotiations began. He was asked to pay $500, a special merous questions. come informed and to inform my col- offer out of honor and respect for their re- How, for example, do they coordinate leagues about the state of readiness of pentant comrade who brought him to get his with our military forces? What rules of the Iraqi security forces. The Pentagon car back. engagement may they use? What is has been completely uncooperative. This true story is an example of doz- their legal status, particularly after This lack of cooperation and respect ens of other similar robbery, looting, June 30, when limited sovereignty is for the responsibilities of Congress to and murder crimes taking place in transferred to some Iraqi authority? I perform oversight over the Department Baghdad where stealing and murdering am still awaiting the answer to these of Defense has been characteristic of gangs have dramatically increased. Un- questions from the Pentagon. Once this administration’s approach less we are able to protect the people of again, my request has not been re- throughout the conduct of operations Iraq from criminal gangs and from sit- sponded to promptly with detailed in- in Iraq, and it has contributed to the uations as illustrated in these com- formation or any information. predicament we find ourselves in ments in the newspaper, we will fail in Last September, Senator HAGEL and I today. Too often a small group of civil- our mission because we have a situa- proposed an amendment to the supple- ians in the Pentagon has displaced nor- tion where the basic elements of order, mental appropriations bill to increase mal planning functions and instead, in- the basic sense of safety and security the size of our Army by 10,000 soldiers. sulated from appropriate congressional have been completely eviscerated for a That is a necessary initial step to pro- oversight, has hatched plans for the oc- vast number of Iraqis. vide the manpower to continue to com- cupation in Iraq that have proven to be These are off the TV screens. But mit further forces to Iraq and to con- misguided and inept. The formation of this is one of the constant drumbeats tinue to meet the worldwide demands

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4961 upon our Army. The Senate supported regime has rapidly morphed into a throughout the country. These officers that amendment. Unfortunately, the widespread resentment of the United explained that membership in the administration vociferously opposed it. States as ‘‘occupiers.’’ The insurgents Baath Party was obligatory for anyone They claimed Iraq was just a spike and have touched a nationalistic nerve that who hoped to obtain a job like teaching that in the months ahead, the Army vastly complicates our efforts. Popular in Iraq. Most of these individuals were could begin to withdraw forces. support is the critical element in polit- motivated not by political impulses In January, they suddenly reversed ical warfare, and the administration is but by economic and career goals. Nev- this position and announced they squandering that support. ertheless, they were categorically ex- would take steps to increase the Army The latest revelations of gross abuse cluded subject to the discretion of by 30,000 soldiers by tapping into the of Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib Chalabi. It was a situation that further supplemental appropriations bill. I am prison have further fanned the flames antagonized the Sunni community. The pleased the Pentagon is finally con- of resentment and anger. It is an aber- policy has been belatedly amended but vinced we need more forces for our ration in the conduct of American sol- not after doing great damage. Army, but they still maintain this is a diers, but its occurrence has confirmed This episode also illustrates the gap temporary emergency condition that is in a very suspicious population the between the CPA and the military best funded through the supplemental worst lies spread by our adversaries. In commanders that actually were doing appropriations process. addition, these actions have poisoned the work of rebuilding Iraq. The CPA The reality is, this condition is not our already strained relations with existed in a security bubble in Baghdad temporary. If we are serious about suc- many countries and their citizens disconnected from the field where ceeding in Iraq and meeting other de- around the world. Army division commanders and their mands throughout the world, we must For months now, the Coalition Provi- staffs were taking pragmatic actions to admit this is a task that will take sional Authority has been in power, restore services, rebuild communities many years and a larger army for and the administration touted that as and instill hope in the people of Iraq. many years. We must provide for in- an example of our reconstruction ef- The CPA added little to these actions creases in end strength for our Army in forts. Frankly, I believe it has been except indecision that simply com- the regular budget process, not the dysfunctional from the beginning. plicated the action of commanders on supplemental, by directing more re- The President vested the Department the ground. sources to the Army from the other of Defense with extraordinary powers In the past few days, a revealing services or by increasing the overall in the occupation and reconstruction of memorandum by someone who served defense budget. Iraq. Even before the initiation of mili- in the CPA has surfaced that provided The administration and the Pentagon tary operations, the decision was made additional details illustrating the in- continually insist that we are being op- to exclude experts from the State De- competence of the CPA. The anony- posed by a small group of unrepentant partment from planning for the recon- mous author of the memo is a fan of holdouts from the former Baathist re- struction and administration of Iraq. Chalabi and is hopeful for success in gime and an even smaller cadre of ter- Iraq. This makes his criticism even The task was given to a small group of rorists who have flocked to Iraq after more telling. ideologues in the Department of De- the defeat of Saddam. He describes the CPA as handling ‘‘an This view dangerously misconstrues fense. They relied on the self-serving issue like six-year-olds play soccer: the growing resentment of the Iraq declarations of Chalabi and the exile Someone kicks the ball and one hun- population to our presence and the crowd to assume away most of the dred people chase after it hoping to be very real possibility that many Iraqis problems that we later encountered in noticed, without a care as to what hap- will sympathize with the insurgents Iraq. Problems such as a dilapidated in- pens on the field.’’ My view is that the not because they agree with their po- frastructure an ancient rivalries be- CPA quickly became a 30-day summer litical or religious views but because tween religious and ethnic factions camp for ‘‘neocons.’’ Subject-matter they see them as fellow Iraqis resisting were conveniently ignored as the experts were displaced by ideological a foreign occupation. ‘‘neocons’’ predicted that we would be true believers who rotated in and out Anthony Cordesman, a very prescient welcomed with open arms in a country at a dizzying rate. analyst at the Center for Strategic and that was economically and culturally The CPA installed the Iraqi Gov- International Studies, pointed out that ready for a rapid transition to democ- erning Council composed of representa- ‘‘it is important to note that an ABC racy. tives from the major factions and then poll in February found a large core of The institutional responsibilities for allowed the Governing Council to pick hostility to the Coalition before the the transformation of Iraq were given ministers to run the major ministries, tensions unleashed by current fighting, to Ambassador Bremer and the Coali- like Oil and Public Works. The result and that core involved many Shi’ites tion Provisional Authority, the was nepotism and corruption. As the as well as Sunnis.’’ And, as reported in ‘‘CPA’’. And, in this regard, the record memo points out, ‘‘both for political a new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup poll, is one of confusion and ineptness. and organizational reasons, the deci- ‘‘only a third of the Iraqi people now The decision to disband the Iraqi sion to allow the Governing Council to believe that the American-led occupa- army threw thousands of desperate and pick 25 ministers did the greatest dam- tion of their country is doing more dangerous individuals onto the streets age. Not only did we endorse nepotism, good than harm, and a solid majority of Iraq. Many of these individuals with men choosing their sons and support an immediate pullout even formed the heart of the insurgency brothers-in-law; but we also failed to though they fear that could put them that continues to attack our troops. use our prerogative to shape a system in greater danger . . .’’ Although half The decision to eliminate the Baath that would work . . . our failure to pro- the Iraqis who responded to the poll party from the civic life of Iraq was mote accountability has hurt us. said that they and their families were quite correct in principle, but carried I met with a member of the Iraqi better off now then under Saddam, 71 to such extremes that it alienated the Governing Council on March 17 in percent of the respondents when asked Sunni community and provided addi- Baghdad. He explained to me the im- to classify the Americans as ‘‘lib- tional fuel for the growing fires of re- portance of the June 30 date. As erators’’ or ‘‘occupiers’’ chose ‘‘occu- sistance. To add insult to injury, the Chalabi explained it to him, it is im- pier.’’ The figure increases to 81 per- process of debaathification was placed portant because on that date they get cent if you exclude respondents from under the control of Chalabi, a figure to ‘‘write the checks.’’ I am sure there the semi-autonomous Kurdish region. of immense distrust and dislike in Iraq. are competent and patriotic Iraqis in- More startling is the fact that more I first heard these complaints from volved in the Governing Council, but I than half the respondents outside of our military commanders last Novem- am deeply skeptical of many, like the Kurdish region ‘‘say killing U.S. ber during one of my trips to Iraq. Chalabi, who seem interested only in troops can be justified in at least some They complained that thousands of self-promotion based on deceit and de- cases.’’ teachers were being excluded from ception. What might have begun as the des- schools at a time when there was a Despite the institutional failings of perate acts of diehards from Saddam’s concerted effort to reopen schools the CPA, it has acquired some hard-

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4962 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 won experience. That experience dis- ing on virtually any issue—say they would cific grievances involving our presence appears on July 1 as our new Embassy never join a political party and oppose the in Iraq. The ‘‘foreign fighters’’ who are replaces the CPA. I fear that we will existence of a political party. in Iraq are drawn by the desire to fight witness once again a lack of coordina- If that is the case, the likelihood of a the infidel. They are temperamentally tion and direction as a new team tries democratic Iraq is many years away. and technically much different than to organize itself in the complicated The administration’s gravest illusion the plotters who attacked us on Sep- and unforgiving environment of Iraq. I has been and continues to be that the tember 11. In contrast, there are still was hoping to hear Ambassador United States can do it alone. many al-Qaida and associated Negroponte describe in detail the orga- Recent events show the necessity for operatives who continue to plan nization and policies that will guide significant international involvement, stealthy attacks against Americans the new Embassy. I didn’t hear much. not unilateral action. The administra- rather than seek out a guerilla war There are numerous questions. What tion has made overtures to the United against our military forces. To assume is the status of contracts with the Nations, but, as I have suggested, these we will lure these terrorists into Iraq CPA, particularly contracts with secu- overtures smack more of political ex- and destroy them there is a dangerous rity firms? Will American civilian con- pediency than a new realization of the misperception. tractors in Iraq be subject to Iraq law value of broad-based collective action. Once again, the value of a truly or United States jurisdiction? How will The monetary cost alone to the international approach to the war on the Embassy be organized to avoid United States is staggering. We have terror becomes more evident. The key being ‘‘captive’’ in the Green Zone in spent $100 billion on the effort in Iraq element in this struggle is intelligence, Baghdad? How will responsibilities be with no end in sight. More impor- not simply military might. This intel- divided between the Department of tantly, we have lost 767 men and ligence is not the province of one coun- State and the Department of Defense? women of our Armed Forces. Indeed, try, even a country with the resources I’m still waiting for good answers. according to an article in today’s of the United States. It is the sum of We are in danger of repeating the Washington Post, Yale economist Wil- the collective efforts of many coun- mistakes we made a year ago. Once liam D. Nordhaus has estimated that tries. To the extent we have alienated again, we are approaching a critical the additional $25 billion just requested other countries or made their intel- juncture without a plan, just a new set for the war in Iraq will make it more ligence contributions more difficult, of players. And the clock is ticking. costly than the inflation-adjusted ex- then we have diminished the key ele- The administration is pinning most penditures of the Revolutionary War, ment in defeating those who continue of its hopes for political progress in the War of 1812, the Mexican-American to plot to strike our homeland. Iraq on the transfer of sovereignty to war, the Spanish-American War, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- an Iraqi entity on June 30. In doing so, the Persian Gulf war combined. ator’s time expired. they confuse the difference between These monetary costs are just a frac- Mr. REED. Mr. President, I ask unan- sovereignty and legitimacy. The new tion of what we will end up paying. imous consent that I be allowed an ad- Iraqi entity—yet to be devised or to be Each day we are accruing significant ditional 5 minutes and that the other fleshed out with Iraqis—may have costs to recapitalize the equipment and side be given an additional 5 minutes. some formal powers that may qualify materiel we are using up at alarming The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without it as a sovereign for the purposes of rates. The aircraft and the tactical and objection, it is so ordered. Mr. REED. Mr. President, consid- international law, but I doubt that the logistical vehicles will require massive ering all of this, it is alarming to see vast majority of Iraqi citizens will see overhauls and replacement. None of the inattention that the administra- it as a legitimate government. This these costs are being adequately ad- new entity lacks the key components tion is paying to homeland security. dressed in or outside the supplemental What is also very disconcerting about that people ascribe to legitimate gov- budgetary process or the regular budg- ernments. Legitimate governments are the administration’s view is that they etary process. see al-Qaida as an institution rather created by internal political forces, Without broad-based international preferably by elections, and legitimate than an ideology. It is an ideology, and support, we will be unable to accom- it is an ideology that is spreading in governments control their territory. plish our political goals, and we will be This new entity will be a creation of the Islamic world despite our huge ef- hard pressed to sustain the billions of the United States with the belated and forts in Iraq, some might say even be- dollars necessary to sustain our effort uncertain participation of the United cause of our efforts in Iraq. in Iraq. As long as we dominate the Nations, and this new government will This ideological battle will not be military and political forces deployed exist because American military forces won by military means alone. It will be to Iraq, we will be seen as occupiers control the territory of Iraq. won by providing Muslim populations In a sense, the administration has al- serving our self-interest rather than a around the world with a compelling al- ready made June 30 both irreversible force to advance the interests of the ternative to the jihad as a means of en- and irrelevant. Having held out the Iraqi people. hancing their sense of empowerment prospect of a transition to Iraqi rule on The administration has long main- and defusing their sense of frustration. June 30, it is impossible to turn back. tained that Iraq is the ‘‘central front’’ Education and economic develop- But on July 1, a prevailing sentiment in the war on terrorism. They are ment spring to mind as ways to begin in Iraq is likely to be disappointment badly mistaken. The ‘‘central front’’ in to counter the appeal of the jihad. Once and a sense that the United States has, the war on terrorism is the United again, our choice of massive military once again, failed to carry out its word. States. The ultimate objective of our involvement in Iraq has constrained This will further aggravate tensions, terrorist adversaries is to once again the resources that we can deploy not diminish them. inflict a catastrophic attack against throughout the Muslim world to di- We can hope the participation of the the United States. They are not dis- rectly challenge the ideology of al- United Nations will give us a reprieve tracted in this objective by Iraq. We Qaida through education and economic from this fate, but the administration’s should not be either. development. Here also is another ex- disdain for and distrust of the United Today, al-Qaida and sympathetic ter- ample of where an international ap- Nations suggests to me that the cur- rorist cells throughout the world con- proach would have given us much more rent arrangement of necessity will not tinue to plot to conduct an attack credibility and, potentially, more re- be sufficient to truly give a sense of le- against the United States or the home- sources to advance this agenda of edu- gitimacy despite recent efforts. lands of our allies. cation and economic development. The surest route to legitimacy is The insurgents that we are engaging The administration entered Iraq with through elections, but we are far from in Iraq may hate us with the same in- illusions, and they struggle today in that day. Indeed, that day may con- tensity as an al-Qaida operative, but Iraq because of these illusions. The un- tinue to recede. Recent polling in Iraq they have chosen a different path—a folding crisis in Iraq can no longer tol- underlines a disturbing fact: path of guerrilla war against our mili- erate illusion. It demands a realistic Seventy-five percent of the Iraqis polled— tary forces and the citizens of Iraq. The assessment of the risks and resources, that’s the largest percentage of people agree- majority are Iraqis motivated by spe- and a pragmatic plan to prevail.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4963 The administration must develop a we go to get our respect and reputation argument for the administration’s war true plan for the war’s financing with back? Where do we go to bring a re- in Iraq. realistic numbers in a timely manner. spectable end to the nightmare for It is clear that we need a full and The administration must commit America that Iraq has become? independent investigation. The Amer- more soldiers to the struggle in Iraq. I worry that the actions of our Gov- ican people need the truth. Congress This means increasing the overall end ernment may no longer keep America needs answers. There must be a full in- strength of the Army through the reg- true to the ideals of the Nation’s vestigation and full accountability, in- ular budget process. Founders so long ago. cluding a comprehensive review of all The administration must recognize I hope the appointment of Ambas- detention and interrogation polices that the struggle in Iraq is separate sador Negroponte, a career diplomat, used by military and intelligence offi- from the war on terrorism and that the will mark a new beginning of serious cials abroad, in Iraq, Afghanistan, war on terrorism requires more robust American engagement in the real prob- Guantanamo, and elsewhere. funding at home to protect America. lems in Iraq. We need to know when the torture The administration must recognize Too often, the Bush administration started, why was it kept secret for so and admit that we are committed to a has been blinded by its arrogance on long, and why we had to learn about it long and dangerous struggle in Iraq Iraq and refused to recognize the cold, from the media. No one should be im- that will cover many years and cost hard truth about its failed policies. mune to questions, including the Presi- many billions of dollars. The adminis- Time and again, the President has dent. tration must seek to truly institu- looked at events in Iraq through rose- This is President Bush’s war. It is the tionalize our efforts in Iraq. colored glasses, ignored the adminis- result of his radical doctrine of preven- A government that deceives its peo- tration’s many mistakes in Iraq, and tive war and American unilateralism ple may sustain itself for a while. Lin- has failed to speak with candor either run amok. coln reminded us that ‘‘you can fool to the American or the Iraqi people. President Bush has spoken fre- some of the people some of the time,’’ Ambassador Negroponte could not be quently about the dignity and human entering this position at a more chal- but a government that deceives itself is rights of the Iraqi people, and he made lenging time. The allegations of pris- doomed to failure, and its policies are it a major justification for the war. oner abuse have shaken the faith of the doomed to failure. In the East Room of the White house Iraqi people and the international com- I yield back the remainder of my on March 19, 2004, President Bush munity in the benevolence of the U.S. time. asked: ‘‘Who would prefer that involvement in Iraq. The new ambas- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who Saddam’s torture chambers still be sador must start to rebuild their trust. yields time? In his April 20, testimony to the Sen- open?’’ Mr. REED. Mr. President, I suggest ate Armed Services Committee, Dep- In the Cabinet room on December 24, the absence of a quorum. uty Secretary of Defense Paul 2003, the day Saddam was captured, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Wolfowitz spoke at length about the President Bush said: clerk will call the roll. human rights abuses under Saddam. For the vast majority of Iraqi citizens who The legislative clerk proceeded to Seven of the 23 pages of his prepared wish to live as free men and women, this call the roll. event brings further assurance that the tor- testimony addressed the atrocities Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I ask ture chambers and the secret police are gone committed by Saddam Hussein. forever. unanimous consent that the order for One of the goals of the U.S. occupa- the quorum call be rescinded. tion of Iraq should have been to herald The President has failed the Iraqi The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without a new day of human rights for the Iraqi people, and he has failed America. He objection, it is so ordered. people. Instead, many Iraqis are equat- has presided over America’s steepest Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I ing America’s crimes to those com- and deepest fall from grace in the his- know we have a time limitation. I mitted by Saddam Hussein, using the tory of our country. think I was allocated some time ear- same prison and the same torture The buck stops at the Oval Office. lier. Is that correct? rooms. The tragedy unfolding in Iraq is the di- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- There is no question that this is not rect result of a colossal failure of lead- ator is allocated 20 minutes. the case. There is no question that ership. It is a failure of calamitous pro- Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I will Saddam’s crimes were crueler and more portions. The President should apolo- support John Negroponte to be Amer- horrific and more widespread by any gize to the Iraqi people and accept full ica’s first ambassador to Iraq since the objective standard. responsibility. gulf war, and I will speak about it in But the reports of torture by Amer- In the wake of this tragedy, Ambas- more detail in a moment. ican soldiers, and the reports that sador Negroponte will face an uphill First I want to say a few words about these abuses took place at the direc- battle regaining the enormous ground the larger issues of Iraq and the enor- tion of Army intelligence officers, CIA we have lost in winning the hearts and mously important challenge we face at agents, and private contractors, are minds of the Iraqi people. an enormously important time for our deeply damaging to our cause in Iraq America’s vision to rebuild Iraqi and Nation. The stakes could not be higher and our reputation and interests in the provide new hope and opportunity was for the safety of 135,000 American sol- world. grand and noble, but we have not deliv- diers serving in Iraq, for the future of Nobody questions the commitment ered on our promise. Far too many Iraq and its 25 million citizens, for and skill of the vast majority of our Iraqis have come to the conclusion America’s role in the world in the soldiers. They are performing admi- that America is able, but unwilling, to years ahead, and for America’s own se- rably under extraordinarily difficult meet their basic needs. The frustration curity in the weeks, let alone the circumstances. I have no doubt that with our unfulfilled promises is feeding years, ahead. these despicable incidents are even into massive hatred for America and For the stability of the entire Middle more painful for them than they are our soldiers, who are paying with their East, America’s ambassador must con- for the rest of America. I am con- lives. vey to the new Iraqi government and cerned, however, that allegations of Last fall, President Bush requested the Iraqi people America’s hopes for prisoner abuse are not limited to this $20 billion in emergency reconstruction Iraq that it soon become a free, stable one Baghdad prison. GEN. George assistance from Congress to provide and prosperous and peaceful nation Casey has said that this military has basic services for the Iraqi people. Con- that respects the rights of its own citi- conducted at least 25 criminal inves- gress wrote a large check to the Iraqi zens. tigations into deaths and 10 criminal people, but the administration still has We pray that mission accomplished investigations into other allegations of not delivered it. has not become mission impossible. misconduct involving detainees in Iraq Ambassador Bremer spoke of the ur- America’s respect and reputation in and Afghanistan. gent need for this assistance in the the world have never been lower in the Without a question, these reports of Senate Appropriations Committee on entire history of our Nation. Where do abuse strike at the heart of the moral September 22, 2003:

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4964 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 This is urgent. . . . Most Iraqis welcomed other $29 million has been reallocated Abu Ghraib—more is coming to light in us as liberators. Now the reality of foreign from projects such as democracy build- Afghanistan, and we do not know what troops on the streets is starting to chafe. ing to the administrative expenses of is happening in Guantanamo—I believe Some Iraqis are beginning to regard us as oc- USAID. nominating Ambassador Negroponte to cupiers and not liberators. This was perhaps And we wonder why the Iraqis hate inevitable, but faster progress on reconstruc- this vital post would send entirely the tion will help. us, why hatred for the American occu- wrong message. He is not the right per- pation continues to grow. Acting in good faith, the Congress son for this job at this time. We all have a stake in Iraq’s suc- Why do I say that? Ambassador approved this funding 3 weeks later. cess—the administration, the Amer- Despite the desperate need for recon- Negroponte served as U.S. Ambassador ican people, the Iraqi people. Ambas- struction assistance in Iraq, the Bush to Honduras from October 1981 through sador Negroponte has an enormous re- administration has spent only a small May of 1985. During this time, Mr. sponsibility to ensure that our policy portion of these funds. A mere 14 per- Negroponte showed a callous disregard toward Iraq is based in reality and cent of the billions provided by Con- for human rights abuses through his shaped by the facts on the ground. tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Hon- gress last October has been obligated As the Ambassador embarks on this for reconstruction projects. The admin- duras. I speak of this from firsthand new assignment, he must not gloss knowledge. I traveled to Honduras dur- istration has not clearly told the Con- over the truth, even if it is painful. He gress how much has actually been ing this period and I visited one of the must speak with candor to the Amer- Contra camps along the border of Hon- spent. It may not even know. ican people and the Iraqi people about According to the most recent report duras and Nicaragua with then Ambas- America’s objectives, our strategy, and to the Congress from the Office of Man- sador Negroponte. At that time, there our successes, and he must be equally agement and Budget: Nearly $3.6 bil- were many allegations that a so-called candid about our failures. lion was intended for public works Battalion 316—which was supervised He would be wise not to follow in the and trained by our CIA and by some of projects, including nearly $3 billion for footsteps of so many in the Bush ad- drinking water, but only $32 million our military personnel—had been in- ministration who may have spoken volved in some very egregious human has been obligated overall, and only $14 candidly about the bleak situation in million has been obligated on drinking rights abuses, including the disappear- Iraq to the President in private, but ances of people, including the dis- water; $443 million was intended for who constantly sought in public to put improvements in hospitals and health appearance and alleged torture and a positive face on the clear failures. murder of a Catholic priest. clinics, but the coalition government The stakes are high and the chal- has obligated nothing. At the time of my visit to the camp lenges are many. I wish Ambassador with Mr. Negroponte, I asked a number Mr. President, $300 million was des- Negroponte great success and the best ignated for health care equipment and of questions about Battalion 316 and of luck. He will need both if America is the alleged human rights abuses. I was modernization, but nothing has been to succeed in stabilizing Iraq, deliv- obligated and $90 million was des- told there were no such human rights ering on our promise of freedom and abuses committed by the Honduran ignated to build and repair schools, but democracy, and bringing our troops less than a quarter of it has been obli- military. It became clear to me I was home with dignity and honor. I urge misled, and quite frankly I was not gated. my colleagues to approve his nomina- Our half-hearted attempt to take the given answers to my questions about tion. face of America off the occupation will the human rights abuses being com- Mr. President, I reserve the remain- mitted by Battalion 316. I believe Am- inevitably exacerbate Ambassador der of my time. I suggest the absence Negroponte’s diplomatic challenges. bassador Negroponte knowingly mis- of a quorum. informed me and knowingly mis- Our proposal to transfer sovereignty Mr. REID. I request the time run to the Iraqi people on June 30th and informed the U.S. State Department equally against both sides. about gross violations of human rights take the face of America off the occu- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without in Honduras during his tenure. pation is nothing more than that—a objection, it is so ordered. The clerk proposal. It’s not even a real transfer I refer to a series of articles written will call the roll. in the Baltimore Sun in 1995. A June 19, of sovereignty. The legislative clerk proceeded to 1995 article was talking about Ambas- At the very time we are talking call the roll. about transferring sovereignty, Presi- Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask sador Negroponte. dent Bush is developing a grandiose unanimous consent that the order for An ambassador, someone cynically once plan to build a super embassy in Bagh- said, is sent abroad to lie for his country. the quorum call be rescinded. U.S. career diplomat John D. Negroponte dad, staffed by 1,000 Americans. We will The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. EN- still have 135,000 American soldiers on confused that with lying to his country. As SIGN). Without objection, it is so or- U.S. ambassador to Honduras during the the ground in Iraq for the foreseeable dered. early ’80s, Mr. Negroponte systematically future. Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, par- suppressed reports to Washington describing The new embassy’s significance is liamentary inquiry: Does the Senator kidnappings and murders of political dis- clear. This administration wants Bagh- from Iowa have a certain amount of sidents by a secret unit of the Honduran dad to be America’s new colonial time? And if so, what is that? army. Instead he was responsible for false re- beachhead in the Middle East. As one The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ports to Washington that portrayed the Hon- American official said it will be just ator from Iowa has been allocated 20 duran regime as committed to democracy like ‘‘Saigon, circa 1969.’’ minutes. and the rule of law. By comparison, 147 Americans now Mr. HARKIN. I appreciate that. I will read further from this article: work at the American Embassy in Af- Mr. President, I rise in opposition to Why should an experienced U.S. diplomat ghanistan, a country with 4 million the nomination of John D. Negroponte send false reports to the State Department more people than Iraq; 500 Americans to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Iraq. I concealing damaging information about the work at the American Embassy in understand and agree America needs a nation he was assigned to? Simple. For one thing, some of his superiors wanted it that Egypt, a country nearly three times representative there, more so now than way. They weren’t fooled. They were part of the population of Iraq; and 293 Ameri- ever. We need someone in Iraq who has a conspiracy to mislead Congress and the cans work at the American Embassy in a sterling record, an unassailable U.S. public. The Reagan administration, India, a country of 1.8 billion people. record in terms of his or her support which dispatched Mr. Negroponte to replace In fact, the administration is divert- for fundamental human rights and for an ambassador who was reporting unwel- ing funds intended for Iraq’s recon- the rule of law, someone who has no come facts, had an overriding policy objec- struction to support this Fortress blot on their career record of having tive in Central America: to stop what it per- America Embassy. According to an been involved in the kind of abuses ceived as a threatened communist takeover. Nothing else mattered. April 30th article in the Washington that have come to light recently in Mr. Negroponte later told a Senate panel Post, $184 million has been reassigned Iraq under our military jurisdiction. he never saw any ‘‘convincing substan- from drinking water projects to pay for After the terrible revelations of the tiation’’ that the notorious unit was ‘‘in- the operations of the U.S. embassy. An- abuses under our watch at the prison at volved in death squad type activities.’’ If so,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4965 he outdid the three monkeys who saw no tions repeatedly directed at him by The Sun. efit of those who might want to read evil, heard no evil and spoke no evil. The evi- But he can’t ignore pointed questions from the RECORD and catch up on Mr. dence was all around him, including in his President Clinton, whose personal represent- Negroponte’s past and what he did own embassy. A diplomat who tried to write ative in Manila is Mr. Negroponte. Despite while he was Ambassador to Honduras, the State Department’s support of Mr. a truthful human rights report was ordered I commend these articles to them. to remove the damaging information. More Negroponte, the president can’t possibly than 300 articles about military abuses ap- want someone of this ilk representing the Mr. President, I think it should be peared in the Honduran newspapers that year U.S. abroad. clear to all of us why human rights alone. Hundreds marched through the capital Mr. HARKIN. Ambassador Negrop- questions and concerns should be at in protests. A dissident Honduran legislator onte’s reports to his superiors in the the forefront of today’s debate and why personally appealed to Mr. Negroponte. State Department resulted in the Con- someone with the background of Mr. Negroponte is not the right person to I ask unanimous consent to have the gress being misled as to the scope and send to Iraq, because it is going to articles from June 19, 1995, printed in nature of gross human rights viola- come out, it will come out about Mr. the RECORD. tions that were committed by Bat- Negroponte’s involvement with Bat- There being no objection, the mate- talion 316, an elite U.S trained unit of rial was ordered to be printed in the talion 316. It will come out about Mr. the Honduran military involved in Negroponte’s efforts in Honduras to RECORD, as follows: some of the worst human rights abuses [From the Baltimore Sun, June 19, 1995] suppress information Congress needed in Central America. at that time. It will come out that Mr. HEAR NO EVIL, SEE NO EVIL . . . In a letter to The Economist in 1982, Negroponte was untruthful to his supe- An ambassador, someone cynically once Ambassador Negroponte wrote, it is riors at the State Department. It said, is sent abroad to lie for his country. simply untrue that death squads have U.S. career diplomat John D. Negroponte should be clear to us why he should not made appearances in Honduras. go there at this time. confused that with lying to his country. As This is from our Ambassador to Hon- U.S. ambassador to Honduras during the We are shocked and shaken by the duras at the very time death squads pictures of abuse against Iraqis at the early ’80s, Mr. Negroponte systematically were openly operating in Honduras suppressed reports to Washington describing hands of U.S. personnel. Our image as a kidnappings and murders of political dis- under Battalion 316. Yet he said it is country is at stake. But it is not just sidents by a secret unit of the Honduran untrue that they have made an appear- our image, it is the very essence of our army. Instead he was responsible for false re- ance in Honduras. Nation, our fundamental respect for ports to Washington that portrayed the Hon- We now have history. We now know human rights, our fundamental respect duran regime as committed to democracy Mr. Negroponte was not telling us the for the dignity and worth of each indi- and the rule of law. truth. vidual, the essence of what we are try- Why should an experienced U.S. diplomat From 1981 to 1984, over 150 people dis- ing to tell the world, that we are for send false reports to the State Department appeared in Honduras, including an freedom, that we are for individual lib- concealing damaging information about the American priest, Father James Carney. nation he was assigned to? Simple. For one erties, that we oppose torture in all its His body has never been recovered. All thing, some of his superiors wanted it that forms. There is no reason why people indications at that time pointed to way. They weren’t fooled. They were part of should be tortured in prisons, and we a conspiracy to mislead Congress and the Battalion 316. There had been reports should not be involved in it. U.S. public. The Reagan administration, that they interrogated him and he was The photographs we have seen also which dispatched Mr. Negroponte to replace severely tortured and killed. I am not have a personal association for me. an ambassador who was reporting unwel- suggesting Ambassador Negroponte come facts, had an overriding policy objec- When I first saw these pictures, I was was responsible for Father Carney’s taken back in time—34 years to be tive in Central America: to stop what it per- disappearance. What I am saying, how- ceived as a threatened communist takeover. exact—to 1970, July of 1970, when I was Nothing else mattered. ever, is Ambassador Negroponte turned a staff person in the House of Rep- Each year, U.S. embassies report on human a blind eye and a deaf ear to the human resentatives, and I was sent with a rights abuses and the State Department rights abuses in Honduras during his commission to Vietnam. passes the information on to Congress. Na- watch. During that period, Ambassador We had heard all these reports about tions that consistently violate human rights Negroponte was in very close contact, these tiger cages in which people were are barred from receiving U.S. military aid. perhaps almost on a daily basis, with brutally tortured, killed. Our State De- By ignoring the clear, unavoidable evidence GEN Gustavo Alvarez, the Commander partment denied their existence, our that Hondurans were being kidnapped, tor- in Chief of the Honduran military, and tured, raped and murdered by a special unit military denied the existence of them; under the command of the army chief of the architect of Battalion 316. these were all just Communist con- staff, the Reagan administration was able to For Ambassador Negroponte in 1982 spiracy stories. boost military aid to Honduras from $3.9 mil- to say it is simply untrue that death Well, I had heard enough about them lion in 1980 to $77.4 million four years later. squads have made appearances in Hon- and others had heard enough about Mr. Negroponte later told a Senate panel duras—this is going to be our Ambas- them that I began to look into it, and he never saw any ‘‘convincing substan- sador to Iraq at this time? because of some luck, because of the tiation’’ that the notorious unit was ‘‘in- In 1989, during a hearing before the courage of Congressman William An- volved in death squad type activities.’’ If so, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, derson of Tennessee, and Congressman he outdid the three monkeys who saw no on his nomination to be Ambassador to evil, heard no evil and spoke no evil. The evi- Augustus Hawkins of California, a dence was all around him, including in his Mexico, Ambassador Negroponte was young man by the name of Don Luce, own embassy. A diplomat who tried to write questioned about the human rights vio- and the bravery of a young Vietnamese a truthful human rights report was ordered lations by this elite battalion which man who gave us the maps on how to to remove the damaging information. More became known as Battalion 316. His re- find this prison, we were able to un- than 300 articles about military abuses ap- sponse was that he had ‘‘never seen any cover the notorious tiger cages on Con peared in Honduran newspapers that year. convincing substantiation they were Son Island. Hundreds marched through the capital in involved in death-squad type activi- Fortunately, I had a camera. Fortu- protests. A dissident Honduran legislator ties.’’ Yet, as a Baltimore Sun article personally appealed to Mr. Negroponte. nately, I had a hidden tape recorder. In the last of four articles resulting from a pointed out, the evidence was all Because when I came back and we re- 14-month investigation, Sun reporters Gin- around him, including in his own em- ported on this, we were told they were ger Thompson and Gary Cohn quote liberally bassy. A diplomat who tried to write a not that bad. Well, then LIFE maga- from the 1982 and 1983 human rights reports truthful human rights report was or- zine published my pictures and the on Honduras. Each quotation is matched by dered to remove the damaging informa- world saw how bad they really were. persuasive evidence it is a shameless lie. tion, and Mr. Negroponte was the Am- North Vietnamese, Vietcong, and civil- Even the Honduran government has now ac- bassador at that time. ian opponents of the war in South Viet- knowledged the atrocities. But not Mr. Mr. President, the Baltimore Sun, in nam were all bunched into these tiger Negroponte, the hard-line cold warrior who considered Henry Kissinger a softie on Viet- 1995, devoted a series of articles on cages, in clear violation of human nam. what happened in Honduras and what rights, fundamental human rights, and Now ambassador to the Philippines, Mr. happened in terms of Mr. Negroponte’s in clear violation of the Geneva Con- Negroponte has refuse to respond to ques- involvement at that time. For the ben- vention. We had been asking the North

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4966 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 Vietnamese to abide by the Geneva what it was. Let’s show what happened There being no objection, the mate- Convention in terms of their treatment there. And let’s tell the world, once rial was ordered to be printed in the of our prisoners in North Vietnam. Yet, again, that we are going to make sure RECORD, as follows: here we were condoning, supervising, we have in place policies, programs, [From the Washington Post, May 6, 2004] the very same kind of abuses of people, things that will never let this happen MR. RUMSFELD’S RESPONSIBILITY in clear violation of the Geneva Con- again. The horrific abuses by American interroga- vention. The lead editorial in this morning’s tors and guards at the Abu Ghraib prison and Well, then I was told, well, as to what Washington Post made it very clear at other facilities maintained by the U.S. these people were telling me—because when they said: military in Iraq and Afghanistan can be the interpreter was pro-Communist— Beginning more than two years ago, Mr. traced, in part, to policy decisions and public that he was telling me the wrong Rumsfeld decided to overturn decades of pre- statements of Secretary of Defense Donald vious practice by the U.S. military in its H. Rumsfeld. Beginning more than two years things, because I did not speak Viet- ago, Mr. Rumsfeld decided to overturn dec- handling of detainees in foreign countries. namese, you see. I did not speak Viet- ades of previous practice by the U.S. mili- His Pentagon ruled that the United States namese, and they said the person inter- tary in its handling of detainees in foreign would no longer be bound by the Geneva preting for me had a bias toward the countries. His Pentagon ruled that the Conventions; that Army regulations on the United States would no longer be bound by Communists, so I could not believe interrogation of prisoners would not be ob- the Geneva Conventions; that Army regula- what I was being told. So they sent an- served; and that many detainees would be tions on the interrogation of prisoners would other group over to hear all these glow- held incommunicado and without any inde- not be observed; and that many detainees ing reports. What they did not know at pendent mechanism of review. Abuses will would be held incommunicado and without take place in any prison system. But Mr. the time is that I had a hidden tape re- any independent mechanism of review. Rumsfeld’s decisions helped create a lawless corder. No one knew that except me. I Abuses will take place in any prison system. regime in which prisoners in both Iraq and tape recorded everything that was said. But Mr. Rumsfeld’s decisions helped create a Afghanistan have been humiliated, beaten, I was fired from my job. I was told I lawless regime in which prisoners in both tortured, and murdered—and in which, until would never again work in the U.S. Iraq and Afghanistan have been humiliated, recently, no one has been held accountable. Congress because of my actions in let- beaten, tortured and murdered—and in ting these pictures out and telling the I agree with those who want a full in- which, until recently, no one has been held truth about what was happening on vestigation. I believe we should inves- accountable. tigate. But I don’t want to see this just The lawlessness began in January 2002 Con Son Island. I was brought before a when Mr. Rumsfeld publicly declared that congressional committee and was pinned on a few soldiers at the bottom. Yes, they have to be held responsible, hundreds of people detained by U.S. and al- charged that what I was reporting was lied forces in Afghanistan ‘‘do not have any false because I did not speak Viet- too. No military person has to follow rights’’ under the Geneva Conventions. That namese, and that my interpreter was a an illegitimate order of anyone placed was not the case: At a minimum, all those well-known ‘‘Communist sym- in authority above him or her. These arrested in the war zone were entitled under pathizer.’’ But I had my tape recorder were illegitimate orders. If they were the conventions to a formal hearing to deter- and I taped everything that was said. ordered to do such things, who gave mine whether they were prisoners of war or those orders? Who supervised it? How unlawful combatants. No such hearings were I turned it over to the Library of held, but then Mr. Rumsfeld made clear that Congress to transcribe, and they tran- far up the chain of command did it go? The bottom line is, the Constitution U.S. observance of the convention was now scribed every single word. Not only optional. Prisoners, he said, would be treated what I had been saying was confirmed, of the United States puts a civilian in ‘‘for the most part’’ in ‘‘a manner that is rea- but there was even more on the record- charge of our military. It is that civil- sonably consistent’’ with the conventions— ing that was not interpreted for me, ian, by his or her actions, statements, which, the secretary breezily suggested, was more evidence of the cruel, torturous policies, programs, that filter down to outdated. conditions in these tiger cages, how that private, that sergeant out in the In one important respect, Mr. Rumsfeld was correct: Not only could captured al people had been tortured and killed, field. Mr. Rumsfeld, because of his ac- tions and his statements and his poli- Qaeda members be legitimately deprived of and how we, the U.S. Government, had Geneva Convention guarantees (once the re- provided not only the funding but the cies during his tenure as Secretary of quired hearing was held) but such treatment supervision for these prisons. Defense, is ultimately responsible. was in many cases necessary to obtain vital So when I saw these pictures from That is why I have called today for his intelligence and prevent terrorists from Iraq, it brought back Con Son Island resignation. If he doesn’t resign, the communicating with confederates abroad. and the tiger cages. I thought we had President of the United States should But if the United States was to resort to learned our lesson. Yes, war is not a dismiss him forthwith. that exceptional practice, Mr. Rumsfeld should have established procedures to ensure nice thing. War is terrible. But that is Seeing no one else asking for time on the floor, I ask unanimous consent that it did so without violating international why we have Geneva Conventions. That conventions against torture and that only is why we have these international that I have an additional 5 minutes. suspects who truly needed such extraor- treaties. I thought we learned after The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without dinary handling were treated that way. Out- Con Son and the tiger cages that we objection, it is so ordered. side controls or independent reviews could ought not to be involved in those Mr. HARKIN. Because of what has have provided such safeguards. Instead, Mr. things, that we ought to make sure happened, and for our country, we Rumsfeld allowed detainees to be indiscrimi- whoever runs these prisons, whoever speak of patriotism a lot, patriotism of nately designated as beyond the law—and made humane treatment dependent on the has charge of prisoners of war, treats our brave soldiers and airmen and sea- men in Iraq and around the world, the goodwill of U.S. personnel. the prisoners according to the Geneva Much of what has happened at the U.S. de- Convention. Yet here we are back patriotism of those in our country who tention center in Guantanamo Bay is again—34 years later—and we see the fight for justice, fight for those less shrouded in secrecy. But according to an of- same kinds of things happening in this fortunate. Patriotism takes on a lot of ficial Army report, a system was established prison. different forms. I think Mr. Rumsfeld at the camp under which military guards I do not know who took those pic- has to show some patriotism. He has to were expected to ‘‘set the conditions’’ for in- tures. I read in the paper today it was put the good of his country above his telligence investigations. The report by Maj. own self-interest and his own self-es- Gen. Antonio M. Taguba says the system was a young man and that he may be in later introduced at military facilities at some serious trouble. Well, whoever teem. It is time for him to recognize Bagram airbase in Afghanistan and the Abu took those pictures, I want them to that we need a new Secretary of De- Ghraib prison in Iraq, even though it vio- know they have a friend and an ally in fense to change the policies and the lates Army regulations forbidding guards to this Senator from Iowa. I will do what- programs that Mr. Rumsfeld insti- participate in interrogations. ever I can to ensure that no harm in tuted, that, as the Washington Post The Taguba report and others by human any way comes to them, that they are editorial said, led to this kind of a situ- rights groups reveal that the detention sys- tem Mr. Rumsfeld oversees has become so able to speak out without fear of any ation. grossly distorted that military police have reprisal about what they saw and what I ask unanimous consent that the abused or tortured prisoners under the direc- went on in those prisons. editorial in the Washington Post this tion of civilian contractors and intelligence We have to let the sunlight in—the morning, May 6, be printed in the officers outside the military chain of com- best disinfectant. Let’s show it for RECORD. mand—not in ‘‘exceptional’’ cases, as Mr.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4967 Rumsfeld said Tuesday, but systematically. women in uniform more than it pains Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I sug- Army guards have held ‘‘ghost’’ prisoners de- us. Most of them, I am sure, are as ab- gest the absence of a quorum. tained by the CIA and even hidden these horred by this as we are. I know they The PRESIDING OFFICER. The prisoners from the International Red Cross. are wondering how something like this clerk will call the roll. Meanwhile, Mr. Rumsfeld’s contempt for the The assistant legislative clerk pro- Geneva Conventions has trickled down: The could have happened. It has to be de- moralizing for our military as it is de- ceeded to call roll. Taguba report says that guards at Abu Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask Ghraib had not been instructed on them and moralizing for us. That is why 34 years that no copies were posted in the facility. ago, when the pictures of the tiger unanimous consent that the order for The abuses that have done so much harm cages came out, it led to reforms. I be- the quorum call be rescinded. to the U.S. mission in Iraq might have been lieve it helped lead to the end of that The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without prevented had Mr. Rumsfeld been responsive terrible conflict in Vietnam and objection, it is so ordered. Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask to earlier reports of violations. Instead, he brought our troops home. publicly dismissed or minimized such ac- unanimous consent that I be allowed to I hope these pictures, as awful as counts. He and his staff ignored detailed re- speak for 5 minutes using the time that they are, about what happened in the ports by respected human rights groups Senator LEVIN had. about criminal activity at U.S.-run prisons Abu Ghraib prison, will now provoke us The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without in Afghanistan, and they refused to provide to act, to straighten out the system, to objection, it is so ordered. access to facilities or respond to most ques- make sure this does not happen again. Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, at 5 tions. In December 2002, two Afghan detain- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- ees died in events that were ruled homicides o’clock we are going to vote on wheth- ator has used his additional 5 minutes. er to confirm Mr. Negroponte to be our by medical officials; only when the New Mr. HARKIN. I ask unanimous con- York Times obtained the story did the Pen- Ambassador. I want to make clear a tagon confirm that an investigation was un- sent for an additional 5 minutes. couple of points. I voted against Mr. derway, and no results have yet been an- The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Negroponte for the very issues Senator nounced. Not until other media obtained the objection, it is so ordered. HARKIN talked about in his history photos from Abu Ghraib did Mr. Rumsfeld Mr. HARKIN. I believe that our when he was in Latin America, during fully acknowledge what had happened, and President has to apologize to the Iraqi what I believed to be a massive coverup not until Tuesday did his department dis- people. He went on television yester- of human rights abuses, which was close that 25 prisoners have died in U.S. cus- day. As I understand from all the arti- tody in Iraq and Afghanistan. Accountability very troubling. When Mr. Negroponte cles I read, he gave a slight slap on the went there, there was a meeting with for those deaths has been virtually non- wrist to Secretary Rumsfeld and said existent: One soldier was punished with a him and I said: You are now in a new dishonorable discharge. he still supported him. I am sorry. job, and although I am not voting for On Monday Mr. Rumsfeld’s spokesman said Sometimes it takes a big person to you, I want to work with you. We did that the secretary had not read Mr. Taguba’s admit wrong and to apologize. I believe work together on a treaty banning report, which was completed in early March. that is what we need to do for the Iraqi child soldiers. He worked very well Yesterday Mr. Rumsfeld told a television people, to let them know, not by words with us on that. There were times when interviewer that he still hadn’t finished but by deeds, that this does not reflect I called him to talk about issues of reading it, and he repeated his view that the who we are as a people. We are better concern and he was very accommo- Geneva Conventions ‘‘did not precisely than that. We are bigger than that. apply’’ but were only ‘‘basic rules’’ for han- dating. dling prisoners. His message remains the Because of what has happened, be- I am going to vote for him today to same: that the United States need not be cause of the pall this has cast over our give him another chance at a job that bound by international law and that the involvement in Iraq, for those reasons is so dangerous and so worrisome, be- crimes Mr. Taguba reported are not, for him, and for the history of John Negroponte cause we have a policy in Iraq that is a priority. That attitude has undermined the and what he did during his tenure in not working. He is willing to go there. American military’s observance of basic Honduras during a time of gross viola- I give him tremendous credit for that human rights and damaged this country’s tions of human rights, he should not be and I give credit to his family. I also ability to prevail in the war on terrorism. the highest ranking diplomat in Iraq. I think his ties with people in the United Mr. HARKIN. We are all upset about suppose the skids are greased for him Nations, as we try to get more nations what happened. Our country was found- to get this appointment. But I don’t involved, could be helpful. I am not ed on the principles of democracy, the think there are too many here who re- sure, but it could be helpful. inalienable rights of individuals. We member Mr. Negroponte and what he I want to express my reservation, were right to condemn Saddam Hussein did in Honduras, but I don’t forget. I now that we see on the agenda of the for his state-sponsored torture in Iraq. don’t forget what happened there. I United States of America one of the We are right to condemn anyone, don’t forget that Mr. Negroponte was worst scandals I think we have seen in whether it is in Uganda or those who one of those individuals closely aligned a very long time—this prison scandal, led the Rwandan massacre, the gen- with General Gustavo Alvarez and Bat- which has such enormous ramifica- erals who now run Burma, or those who talion 316. I don’t forget that it was Mr. tions. As one of my colleagues said, it set up the Soviet gulags during that Negroponte who turned a blind eye and has undone a thousand gestures of long cold war where so many were tor- a deaf ear to the human rights abuses kindness and goodness our troops have tured and killed by the Soviets. We in Honduras at that time. demonstrated to the Iraqi people and have always been right to speak out So to send Mr. Negroponte to Iraq to the people of Afghanistan. against those and to do what we can to would send entirely the wrong message People say, Senator, you should not uphold the inalienable rights of indi- at this time. vote for Mr. Negroponte because now viduals. We are not perfect. No country Mr. President, I yield the floor and we have this other human rights scan- is; no individual is. But our obligation suggest the absence of a quorum. dal. Well, I feel Mr. Negroponte knows is to make sure that when this country The PRESIDING OFFICER. The we are watching everything now. makes a mistake, we right it. We don’t clerk will call the roll. America has a way of getting to the try to cover it up. We don’t try to ex- The assistant legislative clerk pro- truth. The other day I made a speech cuse it. We bring it out, show it for ceeded to call the roll. about making sure that truth will not what it is, and then institute policies, Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask be a casualty of this war. We need to programs, procedures to make sure unanimous consent that the order for know the truth. I can tell you, I have that human rights abuses under our the quorum call be rescinded. never seen anything uglier. watch will never happen again. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without When the press came to me and asked The bravery of our men and women objection, it is so ordered. how I am going to vote for Mr. in Iraq, under intolerable conditions, is Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I ask Negroponte, I said I want to give him a source of pride to all of us. As Sen- unanimous consent that the time this opportunity. I also feel we ought ator KENNEDY said, what has happened under the quorum call be charged to be looking to the Commander in with these pictures, these terrible equally to both sides. Chief right now. human rights abuses, I believe, has to The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without It isn’t Mr. Negroponte who is re- pain our wonderful young men and objection, it is so ordered. sponsible for what has gone on here. It

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We do not When the United Nations building My understanding is that a lot of like to admit them because it shows was blown up, an opportunity to say these people who were conducting our fallibility, perhaps our lack of wis- then and show leadership that this has themselves in this atrocious fashion dom or experience. But in the end, you turned into a war against terror and were kids. They were never trained. have to do that. the terrorists are here now—and by the They did not understand. They were There have been so many mistakes way, they were not before. We know told: Just do whatever you have to do made since this Iraq situation turned that from State Department docu- to get people to talk. into the nightmare that it is—and let ments. They are there now. We had an I do not know if that is all true. We me put it right on the table because I opportunity to say: United Nations, will get to the bottom of it. But one do not come to this table without a you have been attacked; come with us. thing I do know is, you do not stay on certain point of view. I did not vote to We did not do that. a course when it is not working. We go it alone in this war. I worried about Now this horrific vision in these pris- have lost over 700 of our beautiful peo- going it alone in this war. Now we have ons. I heard one commentator say: ple, some young, 18, 19, some 30, 40 to ask ourselves, whether we voted for What about the vision of the Ameri- years old leaving behind children. it or against it, what do we do now? Of cans who were slaughtered and hung on Some 3,000 plus have been wounded. course, that is the important question. the bridges? Yes, sickening, horrifying, And why doesn’t Paul Wolfowitz know And what mistakes have been made? hellish. We cannot go down that road these numbers? What is wrong with There are so many mistakes. because this is America. him that he doesn’t know these num- The military campaign was brilliant. When I was growing up, I knew bers? It is wrong. These are lives. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- America was different. This editorial These young people are not just some ator’s time has expired. that ran today in the Washington Post faceless, nameless cutout of a soldier. Mrs. BOXER. I ask for an additional opened up my mind because I did not Mr. President, I am so filled with 2 minutes per side, and I will finish up. call for anybody’s firing. I think the sadness. Every time I come to the Sen- Excuse me, I ask if I can have an addi- Commander in Chief is responsible, and ate floor to read the name of Califor- tional 5 minutes from leader time, and he has to decide who he is holding re- nians who have died—I know they are then I will finish up. sponsible. This is an interesting edi- the best. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Mr. MCCAIN. Reserving the right to torial. It said, When did the trouble ator’s time has expired. object, 5 minutes? start? It is when Don Rumsfeld, and I Mrs. BOXER. My word to them is: Mrs. BOXER. Yes, and I will be done. assume with the permission of the You are the best, and we will get to the Mr. MCCAIN. I do not object. President, said: We are not going to bottom of this. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without pay any attention to the Geneva Con- Mr. President, I thank Senator objection, it is so ordered. vention. None of these rules are going MCCAIN for his generosity. Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I see to apply. And now what has happened? The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- Senator MCCAIN here, one of our heroes We don’t know all the details, but if ator from Arizona. in America. He is my chairman and it is true, and we do not know that yet, Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I thank friend. I went over to him one day—I what we see in the paper—and these my friend from California. I do remem- don’t know if he remembers this. I was are real photographs—I do not know ber our conversation. I also remember so worried about this war, and he said that for sure, but if it is true, what we she and I discussed the fact that the something that turned out to be true. are seeing is something that has post-conflict era was going to be ex- He said: It will be over in 2 weeks. He stained this country, that has burdened tremely difficult. She made a very bal- was right, in essence. It was maybe a this country and scarred this country, anced statement today, and I thank little longer. That first military cam- that has undermined everything in her for that as we all go through this paign was brilliant. And I said: But, which we all believe, Democrats, Re- very difficult time in the history of our Senator, I am worried about how many publicans, Independents, Greens. It country. we are going to lose. does not matter what party; it is about Mr. President, we will be having a He said: It’s going to be OK, Barbara. America. hearing tomorrow with Secretary He was right. But there wasn’t a plan I think it is mistake after mistake Rumsfeld, and after that hearing, a lot in place after that, and we all know after mistake after mistake after mis- of us, I hope, will be better informed, that. Yet when the President was take. What do we do now? I think JOE not just members of the committee, asked by the press, Did you ever make BIDEN has great ideas on that. He says but others will be better informed as to any mistakes, couldn’t he think of that the Iraqi people have to want democ- the dimensions of this terrible situa- one? racy as much as we want it for them. I tion which we have seen so graphically DICK LUGAR, chairman of the Foreign do believe it is time to test that. We demonstrated on the abuse of human Relations Committee, Senator BIDEN, are sending our people into a caldron. rights. Senator HAGEL, Senator KERRY, Sen- We cannot keep going down this I also am convinced again that the ator DODD, Senator CHAFEE, myself, course. We have to modify it and sooner we get this issue resolved and and others on the Foreign Relations change it. move forward and make sure it never Committee came together and said: The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- happens again, it is very important be- Where is the plan? We said that before ator’s time has expired. cause we have to go about the business the first shot was fired. So that was a Mrs. BOXER. I thank the Chair. of winning this conflict. We cannot let mistake. Mr. MCCAIN. Mr. President, I ask this terrible situation, as tragic as it Then when the President landed on unanimous consent that the Senator is, divert us from our purpose of win- the carrier and he said major combat from California be allowed 2 additional ning this conflict which we cannot af- was over, ‘‘Mission Accomplished’’ be- minutes to finish up. ford to lose. We have plenty of time to hind him, that was a mistake. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without debate and discuss that in the future. Then when the world said—after that objection, it is so ordered. I also would like to comment on my moment, we had them in our hands Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, as usual, friend John Negroponte. I have known that day, the whole world when the my friend is very generous of spirit. John Negroponte ever since he was am- President landed on that carrier: Can Stay the course, modify the course, bassador to Mexico, where he did an we help you in Iraq? The President change the course—we need to change outstanding job. He has held a broad said: If you did not go in with us, you the dynamics of this. Some have sug- variety of positions in both Republican cannot rebuild; you are not getting gested tearing down the prison. I think and Democrat administrations. I be- anything. So the spoils of the war were that might be an excellent idea to show lieve he will perform admirably in the

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4969 position for which the President of the I urge my colleagues to listen to the dent Bush has spoken out against United States has nominated him. words of a student from the town of atrocities in Sudan, and that the State There probably would have been a lot Jorboke. He told Human Rights Watch: Department and USAID have been very less discussion about Mr. Negroponte’s I was at the well with my animals, about engaged. But we must do more. As the qualifications if it had not been for the half a kilometer from the village, when the rainy season approaches and threatens difficulties we are experiencing in Iraq planes came. . . . The Antonovs came first, to hinder the delivery of aid and medi- at the moment, but I would also point they were very high, like small birds, and cine, we are running out of time. out it also lends some urgency to get- they dropped eight bombs around Jorboke. The United States must first make ting this highly qualified, patriotic We have two wells and both were hit, the clear to the Government of Sudan that others landed outside the village. . . . The American in position as we prepare to its behavior and the actions of its al- turn over the government of Iraq to MiGs came about fifteen minutes later and they bombed two of the houses in the village. lied militias are totally unacceptable. the Iraqi people, which I think all of us I heard later that the janjaweed came and If the government believes that it will are in agreement should be done as looted and burned the rest of the village, but get a free pass in Darfur in exchange quickly as possible. I had left by then; my family put me on a for brokering peace with rebels in the SUDAN camel to come out to Chad. south of the country, it is sorely mis- Mr. President, I rise to speak about A recent article in the New York taken, as the administration has right- the situation in Sudan. Before I do, Times reported an Antonov pilot order- ly made clear. We must maintain all often citizens, opinion leaders, and peo- ing a ground commander: ‘‘Any village sanctions related to human rights vio- ple who are viewed with some respect you pass through you must burn. That lations until real progress is made in by the American people have, unfortu- way, when the villagers come back Darfur, and consider other ways we can nately, the opportunity or the obliga- they’ll have a surprise waiting for increase pressure on the government. tion to say: Never again. We said them.’’ The international community must ‘‘never again’’ after the Holocaust. We My colleagues heard correctly. The also join with us in pressuring the re- said ‘‘never again’’ after the slaughter government of Sudan is actually using gime. The situation in Darfur should be of 800,000 innocent people in Rwanda, Russian made Antonov bombers and no more acceptable to responsible Eu- and we have said ‘‘never again’’ on a MiG fighters to kill the civilian popu- ropean and African governments than number of occasions where acts of lation. They are not simply attacking it is to the American people. The genocide have taken place. military targets but are focusing on ci- United Nations Security Council must We are seeing a situation in the vilian targets such as water wells, gra- condemn, in the strongest terms, the Sudan where I do not want us as a na- naries, houses, and crops. gross abuses of international humani- tion or as individuals to look back and Jan England, the UN Under-Sec- tarian law and human rights in Darfur. say some years from now, after these retary General for Humanitarian Af- It should further demand that the Su- innocent people are being ethnically fairs describes the situation in Darfur danese government immediately dis- cleansed and victims of a genocidal as a ‘‘scorched-earth’’ policy of ethnic arm and disband its militias, allow full plan of orchestrated atrocities, that we cleansing in Darfur, and Andrew and unhindered access to Darfur by hu- would say never again without us at- Natsios, Administrator of USAID de- manitarian agencies and ceasefire tempting to do what we can to stop scribed it last week as ‘‘the worst hu- monitors, and allow all displaced per- what is happening in the Sudan as we manitarian disaster in the world right sons safe passage back to their homes. speak. Our thoughts and prayers are with now.’’ The cost to the local population The Secretary General should report the brave Americans serving in Iraq has been enormous. In the last year back to the Security Council within and with the Iraqi people we have liber- alone, possibly up to 30,000 people have weeks, noting the degree to which the ated, but at the same time the situa- been killed and another million people Government of Sudan is complying tion in Sudan is dire and it is getting have been displaced. Many of the dis- with these demands. At that point, if worse. placed are farmers, who have been un- necessary, the Security Council should I applaud Senator BROWNBACK and able to plant their crops. Famine consider stronger action under Chapter Senator FEINGOLD for introducing a looms. VII authority. resolution on this situation, and I am As we stand here today, a nominal In the meantime, we must examine proud to consponsor it. I would like to cease fire is in place, but there is little whether and what size international take a few moments to describe what evidence that the government and its contingent it would take to stop this the world faces today in Sudan. allied militias are honoring the agree- disaster. If troops are required, we The region of Darfur, in western ment. Refugees continue to pour across should figure out how to get troops, Sudan, is one of the most strife-ridden the border into Chad, fleeing for their possibly African troops, on the ground. places on Earth. The largely Arab Su- lives. If we need financial and logistical sup- danese government has teamed with If any of this sounds familiar, it port, the United States and others the janjaweed, a group of allied mili- should. Just weeks ago we commemo- should provide it. tias, to crush an insurgency in Darfur. rated the 10th anniversary of the Some will say that this is going too This is not the same as the conflict be- Rwandan genocide. Just weeks ago we far, that we face other, more important tween the Sudanese government and wrung our hands and said, ‘‘If only we crises around the world. Dealing with the Sudanese People’s Liberation knew what was to come, we would have ethnic strife is never easy, and it is all Movement in the south, but rather a acted.’’ We should have acted. But the the more tempting to turn our heads separate, brutal conflict. The methods international community remained si- when Sudan seems a far-off, obscure that the government and the janjaweed lent and idle, and 800,000 Rwandans lost place in Africa. Yet 10 years ago, we have employed to put down the insur- their lives, under the most horrible cir- looked the other way when the public gents are nothing short of horrific. cumstances. was unaware of the war between the they are not only targeting rebels, but This cannot happen again. We do not Hutu and the Tutsi in Rwanda. In 1998, civilians as well. yet face a Rwanda-type situation in President Clinton apologized for our Reports emerging from Darfur indi- Sudan, and must ensure that we never lack of action. I do not want to stand cate that the government and the mili- do. The situation in Darfur offends on the Senate floor 10 years from now tias are killing civilians, engaging in America’s values, and threatens our in- and remark about the hundreds of widespread rape, abducting children terests. The continued flight of refu- thousands of innocent Sudanese who and adults, looting civilian property, gees into Chad, the tenuous peace be- perished under our watch. deliberately destroying homes and tween Eritrea and Ethiopia, as well as The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- water sources, and forcing villagers the ongoing conflicts in Somalia could jority leader. into government-run concentration further escalate if we allow Sudan to Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I rise to camps. The government continues to go up in flames. comment on the critical importance of block access to the region for inter- Now is the time to act to stop the moving ahead on many of the pending national humanitarian organizations killing in Sudan before it becomes nominations for the ambassadorial and and ceasefire monitors. genocide. I am encouraged that Presi- foreign affairs post, and to speak to

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4970 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 John Negroponte, who has become a United States of America. Our Foreign The PRESIDING OFFICER. The good friend, someone whom I admire Service officers and embassy personnel clerk will call the roll. tremendously. literally put their lives at risk each The legislative clerk proceeded to I do commend the Senator from Ari- and every day. call the roll. zona for his statement on the Sudan. I It was just in 1998, in Tanzania, in Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I ask opened this morning earlier today with Kenya, that a number of our embassy unanimous consent that the order for the resolution at the time it was ap- staff were killed in the al-Qaida at- the quorum call be rescinded. proved. The Sudan is a country I am in tack. They paid the ultimate price for The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. every year, and throughout the south- freedom. CRAPO). Without objection, it is so or- ern Sudan. I have had the opportunity The Constitution gives us responsi- dered. to be there at least once a year for the bility, it gives us a critical role in the Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. President, I rise last 6 years. Again, the atrocities that appointment of ambassadors. But the to speak to the issue of the confirma- are going on in Sudan must be con- advise and consent power is not only a tion of the nomination of John D. demned, and the Senate is speaking right of this body but it is a responsi- Negroponte to be ambassador to Iraq. loudly, through the voice of Senator bility of this body. As I have said many I serve on the Foreign Relations MCCAIN and so many others over the times before, I take that responsibility Committee. During my short time in course of today. I commend the lead- very seriously. In this time of war, this esteemed body, I have had the op- ers, both of the sponsors of the bill, and America needs to have full diplomatic portunity to listen to, to engage in the bipartisan support for that resolu- representation abroad. We are at war. conversation, and to question Ambas- tion. We need to be represented fully abroad. sador Negroponte on a number of occa- I mentioned the ambassadorial and The nomination of John Negroponte sions. He is an extraordinary man to foreign affairs posts because we need to is pending today, and hopefully short- whom this Nation owes a debt of grati- pay attention not just to the future of ly, we will be voting on his nomina- tude for his service in the past and Ambassador Negroponte, but also the tion. I have had the opportunity to whose confirmation should swiftly be many others today because we do have visit with him recently and to grow to approved so he can continue with the a whole range of qualified individuals know him over the last several years. I distinguished career he has in Govern- who are going to be in very important think there is no individual more ment. posts—except there is one little block, qualified to take on that difficult His Government career started in and the block ends up being a huge one, task—and we all know it is going to be 1960 at the age of 21 when he entered right here in the Senate. They are difficult—as Ambassador to Iraq. Am- the Foreign Service. He has 37 years of ready. They have been fully vetted and bassador Negroponte has served this experience at the Department of State. approved, with strong support of the country for over three decades. He is He has clearly played a leadership role Foreign Relations Committee. There one of the most qualified diplomats to in American foreign affairs. That lead- have been bipartisan votes. There have ever serve this Nation. He has been ership is needed today and certainly he been unanimous votes. It is now time confirmed by this body seven times be- can bring that skilled leadership to the to act on a whole range of these ambas- fore. challenges he will face as Ambassador sadorial posts. On June 30, as we all know, the Coali- to Iraq. Chairman LUGAR, on the Senate floor tion Provisional Authority turns over He has served on four continents at just a few hours ago, eloquently noted Iraqi sovereignty to the Iraqi people. the highest levels. Of course, he is serv- that foreign governments take notice We have seen it play out in the last ing as Ambassador presently to the when the American Embassy post re- several days, the last several weeks. It U.N., Permanent Representative of the mains vacant. They basically look at is a difficult time in Iraq. It is perhaps United States to the United Nations. the post and they see back in America the most critical moment in the fight He served this country five times in that nominees have been put forward, to bring freedom to that war-torn na- ambassadorial positions, including Am- but the fact the Senate has not said tion. bassador to the Philippines, Ambas- As we all know, Ambassador yes, which we ultimately will do, sends sador to Mexico, Ambassador to Hon- Negroponte will be charged with imple- a strong signal to those countries as if duras in 1977, in 1979 as Deputy Assist- menting those policies in Iraq. He will ant Secretary of State for Oceans and the United States doesn’t put the em- be responsible for leading and pro- Fishery Affairs, with the rank of Am- phasis or care quite as much about tecting a team of over 1,700 embassy bassador. His service to this country that country. It might be interpreted personnel. as a feeling of declining interest in It is a critical time of conflict in Iraq covers an extraordinarily wide spec- that country. We should not allow it to and indeed throughout the Middle trum of regions and functions. He has happen. Really, we must not allow that East. It is in this critical time that we received numerous commendations, in- to happen. It takes action here in the need Ambassador Negroponte at his cluding two President’s Meritorious Senate. post as soon as possible. The future of Service Awards, an honorary doctorate I am very hopeful we can open up Iraq depends on our ability to make from Adamson University in the Phil- this whole gate that is blocking so good decisions right now. ippines, the Homeric Award from the many of these nominees. We absolutely As Chairman LUGAR pointed out, we Chian Federation, and on and on. must have strong diplomatic represen- have a number of other nominations, 30 He truly is an extraordinary man. He tation and support for our policies in nominations pending on other impor- brings the right vision for what Amer- order to fight global terror, to defeat tant posts, right now pending through- ica needs in Iraq. His vision of the role global terror, to further our economic out Europe, throughout the Middle of ambassador is different from what interests around the world, to advance East, in Africa and throughout the we have now with Ambassador Bremer. our interests and bring freedom and de- world. I hope with the final confirma- Whereas the CPA today is the ultimate mocracy to the millions of people who tion today of Ambassador Negroponte political authority in Iraq, the Em- yearn for it. Like our military, our dip- we can open up what would be a flood- bassy will be in a supportive, as op- lomatic corps is a part of a national se- gate to these other 30 nominations. posed to a commanding, role. He under- curity team. It is not the time to make political stands and believes a U.S. mission will I know most of my colleagues, in- statements on either side of the aisle support democratization and rule of deed, all of my colleagues would not as an excuse for holding up these nomi- law, economic reconstruction and secu- deny our military the leadership they nations. The risks are too great at this rity and counterterrorism. need in the time of war. I ask my col- moment in history. I strongly urge my He believes the U.N. role does not leagues to remember the similar and colleagues to approve Ambassador come at the expense of United States very important role that our ambas- Negroponte shortly, and all of the influence or interests but, rather, the sadors play. That important role is ad- other pending nominations as soon as efforts will be coordinated and com- vancing our national security and for- possible. plementary. That is what we need in an eign policy interests. Our embassy I yield the floor. I suggest the ab- ambassador. That is the nomination we teams serve on the front line of the sence of a quorum. have before the Senate. I hope there is

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4971 a resounding voice of support from this cause of what democracy is all about. their hospitals are operating. The city body. It sends out the right message to There are folks who will go to great is operating, with a city council. Twen- the world as to the kind of individual ends to make sure democracy never ty-some million people are going about we want working with the government takes hold in Iraq, who will do every- their lives. There are areas in which of Iraq after the transfer of sovereignty thing they can to destabilize what we there is conflict, but the country is op- on June 30. are trying to accomplish, to make it erating, is moving forward. Oil produc- I am thrilled Ambassador Negroponte not happen. tion is back to the way it was, just is willing to continue his service, a dif- But Americans have understood— about at prewar levels. ficult service. He brings the right skills even if we disagreed on the original There are 130,000 American soldiers to the task. The skills certainly are purpose of going in, et cetera—that there, and they are doing great things. needed. when our men and women in uniform When you talk to them, when you talk These are challenging times in Iraq. are in battle, we stand with them. to the folks who come back, they tell There is no question about that. In I have grown fond of Teddy Roo- you morale is high. They believe in the those times of challenge, oftentimes in sevelt, for many reasons, because of mission. When an elected Member of this great free land of ours, folks have this, one of my favorite quotations: the Congress stands up and says, ‘‘I different opinions and different per- It is not the critic who counts: not the man don’t believe in the mission. We can’t spectives. Those are often played out in who points out how the strong man stumbles win the mission,’’ something is the Senate or in the House Chamber on or where the doer of deeds could have done wrong—not with the mission, not with the other side of this magnificent Cap- better. The credit belongs to the man who is those who are putting their lives on actually in the arena, whose face is marred itol Building. the line, who believe in the mission. With dissent come tough, probing by dust and sweat and blood, who strives val- iantly, who errs and comes up short again Something is wrong with uttering that questions that make our Nation and again, because there is no effort without kind of statement. stronger, make it freer, and democracy error or shortcoming, but who knows the Shameful. Outrageous. It demands more durable. I have great respect for great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who the collective condemnation of all of us those who dissent, to offer a different spends himself for a worthy cause. . . . that we should give comfort to the perspective than me. Certainly the Let me reiterate the worthiness of the enemy because of those seeking to cause we have undertaken. challenge in Iraq, the war in Iraq is score partisan political points. This morning, like many of my col- evoking a great deal of concern in dif- There is an election coming up on leagues, I awoke to an article in Roll ferent perspectives. There is a lot of 20/ November 2. We all know that. There is Call in which one of the Members of 20 hindsight. It is easier to be a critic. no way to avoid it. But because of that, the Democratic minority in the House But dissent is not a validation of one’s it does not mean we put good common has decided that comments he made in position. On the contrary, one can be sense behind us. It does not mean that private should be trotted out to be just as easily wrong in their dissent as everything that goes on gets caught up heard by the entire world. they may be right. in a political perspective and a polit- His comments were that the war in I will say while American lives are on ical battle to make points for those Iraq is ‘‘unwinnable.’’ In private con- the line, those who dissent must choose who are for or those who are against. the moments to determine whether versation those words are troublesome There is one thing about this country their dissent will help make this Na- enough, but his willingness to allow that I have always believed and I have tion stronger or freer or if it will un- those comments to be put in the public always seen: that in times of difficulty, dermine the very foundation of what domain for partisan political purposes America comes together. I think what holds us together. is not only outrageous but it is inde- has been so uplifting about what we I said it before and I will say it again, cent. have seen in regard to the situation in these days we are observing a mixture Over the course of the last several Iraq is that, though there may be de- of Monday-morning quarterbacking, in days, we all have been horrified by the bate over the nature of the policy, some cases, political opportunism, ex- images of prisoners being tortured in there may be debate over a range of aggeration, which threatens to deprive Iraqi prisons. They are shameful, they issues, there has been little or no de- us of perspective and resolve when we are reprehensible, and they should bate about what our young men and need it the most. make all of us who are fathers and There are challenges in Iraq. We are mothers and brothers and sisters say women are doing in Iraq and how well all reeling over the photographs we saw this is not what America is about. And they are doing it and how proud we all of the treatment of some prisoners in we have said that. There are not are of their courage, of their fortitude, an Iraqi prison. It is not what America enough apologies today to be given to of their commitment. To undermine is about. We rejected that. The Presi- the Iraqi people for that, but we have that in any way, to talk about it being dent rejected it. The military has re- done that. unwinnable, is something that I find jected it and will hold those respon- But today, as American blood is shed difficult or impossible to fathom. sible. in the cause of freedom and liberty It is time this awful language of de- At the same time, as we speak today, across the world, a Member of Con- featism in our Nation’s Capitol comes men and women are still in uniform gress’ utterances of a war as to an end. It is time America comes to- fighting for freedom, fighting against ‘‘unwinnable’’ does not just demoralize gether, as we do in times of war, to terrorism. This President, our Presi- American soldiers, I fear it emboldens stand with our men and women on the dent, did not ask for a war on terror. America’s enemies. front line, to stand with those who are September 11 happened. We have come Imagine being on a sports team that willing to give the ultimate sacrifice— to understand that no longer could we is losing badly to their opponent and and many have—and to say to them: escape terrorism, that our shores did hearing one of the leaders of the win- We appreciate what you are doing. We not protect us, that we had to be vigi- ning team all of a sudden say the game appreciate your commitment. We ap- lant. We had to resolve and take the is unwinnable for them, even though preciate your service. We appreciate battle to the enemy. We have done they control almost every aspect of the your courage. And we know that Amer- that. game. ica will prevail. We know that justice War is never pretty. War is never To those thugs and monsters who will prevail. We have faith. We have something clean and concise. At times, killed with Saddam and now kill with- faith in what you are doing and your bad things happen. Lives are lost. But out Saddam, the ‘‘unwinnable’’ jersey ability to get it done. Shame on those in this case, we should never forget the on their back has just been put on ours who would say otherwise. underlying purpose. The underlying by a Member of Congress. I find that so Mr. President, I yield the floor and purpose is America is in a war on ter- troublesome. suggest the absence of a quorum. rorism. Every day in Iraq, and in most of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The There are people who hate us because country in Iraq, things are going on in clerk will call the roll. we enjoy freedom, because we respect which people are getting their lives to- The legislative clerk proceeded to freedom, because of who we are, be- gether. Their schools are operating and call the roll.

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4972 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 Mr. KYL. Mr. President, I ask unani- When we ask what we can do to help plished there in terms of getting the mous consent that the order for the our troops, one thing we can do is country’s infrastructure back to work, quorum call be rescinded. think clearly about this and speak in a getting oil production going, getting The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without constructive, positive way, which is the schools and hospitals back up to objection, it is so ordered. not to say we should never express dis- speed, all of the other aspects that Mr. KYL. Mr. President, we are here agreement with each other or with the have begun to return the country to this afternoon debating the nomination administration or offer constructive normalcy, that we tend to forget all of for the position of Ambassador to Iraq, suggestions about what to do better. the good and tend to forget that the se- the nomination of Ambassador-nomi- All of that is fair game in a democracy curity of the country has largely been nee Negroponte, a career diplomat who and makes us what we are and makes obtained when we see on the nightly probably has as long and good a record for a better conduct of any kind of op- news only one thing and that is the lat- in the United States as any person who eration, including a military one. But est explosion that killed either an has served in our Foreign Service. there is a way to do it that does not American soldier, perhaps, or innocent He started in 1960 representing the give encouragement to the enemy. Iraqis, because a lot of the people who United States. He has had an amazing When you begin to suggest that be- are being killed are Iraqis themselves. array of important posts, including cause of what a very small handful of That is the bad news. being Ambassador to the Philippines Americans did to some Iraqi prisoners, Notwithstanding the news that we and Honduras and Mexico, and serving that it somehow suggests we are losing get all of the time, the terrorists are in a variety of other international or- the war, we have gone way off track. I saying: We are about to be beat here ganizations. realize most people are not saying because the Americans and the other I hope, at the conclusion of our de- that. I hope they don’t. That is the allies have been able to marshal the bate today, the Senate will, in fact, kind of expression that will be the be- military power to subdue our brothers. confirm the nomination of Ambas- ginning of the end of our effort to con- Without new reinforcements, we are sador-designate Negroponte. duct the hearts and minds part of this likely to lose this battle. We need the very best in Iraq. It is a war on terror which is almost in some That is a nice assessment. It gives us challenging situation. There is no respects as big a part of it as is the encouragement that if we continue on doubt about that. We need somebody of military conquest we were so success- this path, we will prevail. We have a his caliber there. I am delighted the ful in achieving in Iraq. strategy laid out to turn authority President has found it possible to find How should we be conducting our- over to the Iraqis to govern themselves such a good person to be the first am- selves? We are part of this war effort. on June 30 and proceed to have elec- bassador to this newly freed country. I We are not carrying a gun. But people tions in the country next January. hope, as I said, we will be able to con- listen to what we have to say. The ter- Hopefully, we will continue to consoli- firm him quickly and that he will be rorists take away from what we say ei- date the security and so on. We are able to assume his post. ther encouragement or discourage- aware of those things. I think a lot of the Members have ment. Therefore, it is especially distressing found this as an opportunity to discuss I return to the memo we intercepted when people who are important people the larger issue of the war in Iraq and from a fellow by the name of Zarqawi. in America, perhaps elected officials, how it is going and particularly in He was sending a memo to his fellow speak out on television and suggest light of the events of the recent days terrorists connected with al-Qaida say- that, because of these most recent regarding the revelations of the treat- ing: We have a real problem here. The events, somehow we can’t win this bat- ment of certain prisoners in Iraq. I Americans are winning in Iraq. They tle; We can’t win this war; We can’t think it is appropriate we all reflect on are defeating our brothers, and we need continue to consolidate the gains we that, but I also think it is important more allies. We need people to pour have made, continue to provide secu- we keep it in perspective. into Iraq to assist us. I fear we are los- rity, continue to help in the recon- I just gave a radio interview in which ing the battle because we can’t get struction of the country, and continue the questioner asked questions that enough help and the Americans are too on the path of turning it over to the suggested maybe the wheels were com- tough. They are winning the country Iraqis so they can freely govern them- ing off the wagon, that the entire effort over, and before long they are going to selves. might not be worth it; that one of our have a new government set up here and Let’s take each of those points. First, colleagues in the House had indicated we will have lost this effort. no one in America condones or in any that maybe we are losing the war and That was this terrorist’s assessment way expresses anything but disgust for we ought to recognize that right now. of the situation. I like that assessment. what we have seen on television and I want to focus a little bit on that be- What it shows is the planning and exe- what we have been reading about. It is cause, as we have a new ambassador cution of our military effort and the un-American to treat people the way about to assume the position there, he followup of the military effort after we these Iraqi prisoners were treated. It might rightly ask the question, What took Baghdad and had conquered the doesn’t make any difference what they am I getting into here if we are about country, that that has largely suc- might have done. Americans don’t do to lose a war? And the question is, Are ceeded. For most of the country we that. we? And, of course, the answer is, No, know it has. The President today, in meeting with we are not. I think it would be well for We have two pockets of significant King Abdullah, publicly said he was Americans to stop and think before resistance with which we are dealing. sorry for this. He was also sorry that a they talk in those terms because the There the tension is between going in lot of people in the world would take mere discussion of the issue in those and doing collateral damage or trying this incident as manifesting what terms gives solace and encouragement to negotiate, which is what we are Americans and America are all about. to our opponents. being urged to do by people on the He said that bothers him, and it obvi- Unlike a war that we fought in the ground, Iraqis who, after all, are mak- ously bothers all of us because we past—you could choose your exam- ing a point that they might have some know that is not what we are about. ples—this war on terrorism includes idea about how to do this since they The question is, This aberration, as it components that have a lot to do with know the folks involved and it is their has been described, should that in any psychology, with what the enemy be- country. They are going to have to way suggest to us that we can’t win lieves he can accomplish using asym- take care of this in the future. So we this conflict? I fail to see a connection. metric force against far superior forces are paying attention to what they sug- I understand that among a lot of of the allied coalition. Therefore, it is gest. We are trying to walk a careful Arabs and, frankly, the rest of the important what the enemy reads into line in dealing with these two situa- world, including in the United States, what we are saying about the war our- tions. people are appalled. But anyone with selves. That is why, in effect, the floor But by and large, the point is, the an open mind who has any under- of the Senate and the media are other country has been pacified. There has standing of the United States and of fronts in the war. been so much constructive accom- Americans understands that this is not

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4973 the way Americans act and, in point of We cannot allow that to happen. I committed, in another war in our his- fact, that we have a system which en- think there is a legitimate question tory. It happens. It is not right, and courages reporting of such incidents about when the people in the policy- people should be called to account for and which immediately ensures that making part of the Government—and it when it happens. the perpetrators will be dealt with in that includes the Assistant Secretary, But let’s remember, too, that every- an appropriate way. Secretary of Defense, National Secu- thing in war is not coming up roses It is my understanding—and we will rity Council, the President, and Vice every day, and that there will be days find out a lot more about this as time President—became aware of things like of bad news. If you stop to think about goes on—that the day after the report the existence of photographs and other World War II, for example, or about of the incident the inquiry began which things which, if made public, would Korea, or any other wars we have resulted in military action, court-mar- certainly significantly detract from fought in, you can find some very bleak tial action being taken against several our effort. These policymakers would days, days when Americans were being of these perpetrators, and subsequent clearly have understood that is the pushed off the Korean peninsula, days to that, action has been taken against kind of thing that can undo countless when we were being pushed off Omaha several people and that there are some hours of good work by thousands of Beach, or times when we were making that are still pending to be resolved. It military and non-military personnel in no progress and were taking thousands is also my understanding that within the country. Just one incident like this of casualties on the Pacific islands. Our the same month of January, a com- can undo all of the good that literally own prisoners were horribly mis- mand had already been set up to inves- hundreds of people do. treated, and there must have been a tigate whether this was endemic or We have all seen the acts of kindness sense that this may not be worth the widespread, whether it really was an as well as bravery by our troops. We effort. aberration and, to the extent that it have seen soldiers helping kids in Americans understood the stakes and demonstrated that there were flaws in school—saving a little child in one case we persevered. In war there are going our system that permitted this to and a woman in another case—from to be times that are bad. We under- occur, that they be fixed, and that being in the line of fire, one of whom stood that. Sometimes they are caused things have been implemented to en- had been wounded. There are countless by enemy action and sometimes by sure this will not happen again. Americans acting unselfishly and, mistakes we ourselves might have I suspect as we are briefed on all of frankly, selflessly, putting themselves made. This is one of those times when this we will learn a lot more of the de- in danger to help Iraqi people. That is we have a real problem because of mis- tail, and we might be more comfortable a message that obviously needs to be takes that Americans made. But we with the way the military has handled conveyed, but all of that is, in a sense, have the capacity as a Nation to cor- this. This is what America is all about. rect those mistakes if we will do that There is some fault, not only for the forgotten the minute you have an inci- in a constructive way. That is the key. people who actually did what we have dent like this, especially with the pho- seen but also for the way it was han- tographs showing this. But if we do it in a partisan way, in a dled. What I regret is that many in the I can understand how someone who destructive way, we will only play into political world have tended to focus on committed these atrocities, the hands of our enemies, who are this. I would hope that opponents of unthinkingly, would have no idea looking for that kind of signal so they the President would not seize upon this about how this might affect the entire can succeed in their effort. to try to gain partisan advantage. It is war effort when it becomes known, but As we conclude debate on the nomi- something that reflects on the entire people higher up certainly would have nation of a critical position at this country. It is not a Democratic or Re- that sense. It was important that they time in our history, the ambassador- publican kind of issue. get this information so they could then ship to Iraq, it is good to reflect on There have already been calls for the decide what to do with it. Undoubtedly, these issues. The Ambassador will have resignation of Secretary Rumsfeld. in America, ordinarily, we understand a very difficult job. I hope as we con- This, obviously, would not help the that the best way to deal with bad sider his nomination and how to sup- President politically, but is it appro- news like this is to deal with it in an port him when he assumes this role, we priate? The Secretary will be pre- open, honest fashion. I suspect that had will all agree it is important to do so in senting open testimony tomorrow be- we been able to do that, a lot of the a constructive way, always giving him fore the Senate Armed Services Com- outcry here might have been averted. our best judgment, but not undercut- mittee. He will tell his story. Until he That might have been included in ting him with premature judgments or does, I think it would be wise for peo- briefing Members of Congress. But if actions that might be construed as po- ple to withhold their judgment. Since the Secretary of Defense didn’t even litical and might be misunderstood by we have not even been briefed on the know of the existence of the photo- our enemy. issue—and that is one thing people graphs, it is kind of hard to brief Con- If we conduct ourselves in that way, complain about—would we have a right gress about it. I am confident that, despite the fact to call for somebody’s resignation be- I suggest that the bottom line on this there will be days we feel very chal- fore we have even heard what they had point is that we find out what the facts lenged in this country and, as the to say or been briefed? Is that an are by asking the people directly. Let’s President said, things we are very American way to do things or is it an stop condemning them publicly and sorry for, nonetheless, because of the expression of partisanship? calling for their resignation and stop kind of people and Nation we are and I suggest to the extent it might be assuming facts we don’t know. the values and principles for which we the latter, people should hold their fire During a radio interview that I just are fighting, we will in the end prevail, and wait until the facts come in, and had, the questioner asked me about a and we will prevail not only to the ben- we can discuss this in a nonpartisan certain situation. I said: I don’t know efit of Americans and our national se- and a constructive way rather than a that to be true. Do you? He said: No, curity, but for the cause of freedom of way that might be misread by our en- but that is what we have heard. Let’s people throughout this world. emies, because the more this kind of see what the truth is, and we can act in The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- criticism occurs, the more the enemy a calm, compassionate, and firm way ator from Kansas is recognized. may take from it that America is di- with those who did wrong. Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I vided and we no longer have the com- My final point is that in the fog of rise to speak regarding the nomination mitment or the will to see this conflict war a lot goes wrong. Individual people of Mr. Negroponte to be the Ambas- to an end; that therefore if they con- make bad judgments. Americans are sador to Iraq. tinue to try to nip away at us the way just as prone to that as anybody else. THE REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA they have been, they will be able to There is a lot of pressure and emotions Before I speak on that, I want to drive us out, and they will have the run high, and it is certainly possible draw the attention of my colleagues to country left to them to resume the for people to do wrong. One of the can- something that happened, on a very kind of rule that Saddam Hussein ex- didates for President this year talked positive note, in the Republic of Geor- erted in that country for decades. about atrocities he committed, or saw gia, one of the former Soviet Union

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4974 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 countries. It was reported today that We have had a number of Kansans, as gime. We stepped into this void to do one of the breakaway regions, Ajaria, there have been people from all over what others were unwilling to do. We has voluntarily come back into Geor- the Nation, who have given their lives did so grudgingly because going to war gia. The people have thrown out, van- for the freedom of the people of Iraq is never an easy decision for any coun- quished kind of a local thuggish dic- and security for the people of Amer- try, particularly for America. tator, Aslan Abashidze, who had ruled ican. We should not let the actions of a Even before the Iraqi war resolution this region for about 10 years. Thou- few do disservice to so many who have in 2002, we spent years supporting the sands of Ajaris are now out in the given their lives in this great and wor- passage of one resolution after another streets, bringing Georgia back to- thy cause. at the U.N. to make clear that the gether, throwing out this guy who had The damage done to our credibility Iraqi regime was an outlaw regime con- been really a ruthless local, small-scale in Iraq and the Middle East is going to demned by the international commu- dictator in the region, and bringing the be difficult to rebuild, but we must do nity. We engaged the American people. people back together of Georgia. that in earnest. People must be held After a thorough debate in the Senate This doesn’t get the publicity of accountable, especially those in the regarding the risk, this Congress over- Georgia’s ‘‘rose revolution’’ of last No- chain of command with direct control whelmingly voted to give the President vember, but the people are rising up over the prison system. Perhaps it is the legal authority to go to war in and saying they want democracy, they time this prison that has such a ter- Iraq. We decided as a nation we did not want to be part of this country. We rible legacy in Iraq in the Saddam era want America to compromise its moral need a change in leadership. They have simply be closed, torn down, and never authority by avoiding the demands of done it by nonviolent means. It is in- used as a prison again. leadership. We sought freedom for the spiring to read about and to see that Let’s keep in mind why we are in Iraqis and for that freedom to spread has taken place and that the Georgians Iraq. I met with Jalal Talabani. He is throughout the Arab world, and we de- who we are working with and sup- one of the key leaders of the Iraqi Gov- sired security for Americans. porting are getting this done. A num- erning Council. He is a gentleman with It is a heavy burden. At critical mo- ber of people celebrating this victory whom I worked over the years as we ments in world history, we have not are waving Georgian flags and Amer- moved forward in this country to con- hesitated to carry this burden places ican flags. A number of places in the front the dictatorship of Saddam Hus- far from home. Wherever we went, our world would not be standing free if it sein. men and women in uniform inspired weren’t for us, and they appreciate Let me give a very brief history les- others, bringing hope and freedom to that. son. He was involved in the Iraqi coali- millions. Mr. President, now speaking on Iraq tion, the diaspora. Actually, he is from I can quote a young man from Union and Mr. Negroponte’s nomination to the Kurdish part of the country, so he Town, KS, who died in Afghanistan. I the position of Ambassador of the was in country. He has been involved in talked with his mother about his death United States to Iraq, he is an emi- and his service. He died at 21 years of nently qualified individual. I have that group for some period of time age. His mother said: He e-mailed me worked with him in the Foreign Rela- seeking the United States to come for- home, and he said: tions Committee. He worked in Central ward and support the liberation of Iraq. I remind my colleagues, in 1998, we I would rather die for a cause than of one. America, and he has been our rep- passed the Iraq Liberation Act which resentative in the U.N. He is the exact How better do we summarize it than type of person we need to have in the called for regime change in Iraq. That that? He put his life on the line so oth- region. He will take us from being the was signed into law by President Bill ers in Afghanistan, on the other side of occupying power to a supporting role Clinton who supported it. Mr. Talabani the world, can be free. and not a governing role in Iraq. He un- was involved in that effort from the On the interrogations, I understand derstands that in a great way. Mr. outset. The Kurdish region has self- interrogations are necessary in a war Negroponte has great relationships governance and has had it for the past against a merciless enemy. But we around the world and he is a very wise 10 years and is doing remarkably well. have a long and honorable military tra- man. I think he will do an excellent job He reminded me of a poll recently dition that is certainly not reflected in for us. taken by CNN that had the Kurdish the photos from the Iraqi prison. Let’s We all lament what has taken place people supporting America and George be guided by the moral courage to ac- in the Iraqi prisons and the problems Bush by over 95 percent and thankful knowledge our mistakes and to change and images that created. But more for what is taking place, the liberating what needs to be changed, and we will, than the moral outrage this has gen- of their country and their region. and that is our pledge to the world. We erated, these terrible acts by a few do He also said this to me: It is shame- need to behave better, be more humble, a great disservice to the men and ful to us that we as Iraqis are sitting and understand that the war in Iraq, women who have already lost their down and not taking on the role of gov- and the broader war on terrorism, is lives in the effort to free Iraq and help erning and security within our country also a war of ideas and values. the people of Iraq to govern them- while American soldiers are being Those who threaten our soldiers, our selves. killed. diplomats, and even ordinary Ameri- I had a closed town hall meeting with He said: It is our duty—the Iraqis’ cans, as happened on 9/11, believe in soldiers at Fort Reilly. They had re- duty—to fight the terrorists, and we hateful ideas. We do not agree with cently returned from Iraq—about 300 must do this as soon as possible. those ideas. We need to help the people Army men and women who had come I agree, exclamation mark, and we of Iraq and others in the Middle East back and served for an extended stay in have to move in that direction. For understand this war of ideas; that it is Iraq. To a person, they were positive years, the people of Iraq suffered under not something we can do for them, about the events that have taken place the brutal dictatorship of Saddam Hus- they must do it for themselves. Only overall in Iraq. Yes, there have been sein. There will be a trial sometime the people of Iraq and the millions of problems and, yes, this is war. But they soon, hopefully this year, of Saddam Arabs who yearn for freedom can do would talk about helping the children; Hussein. The world will see the atroc- that. they would talk about opening schools; ities, the hundreds of thousands of peo- We must continue in our effort to they would talk about power services ple buried in mass graves as a result of give the Iraqis self-rule and free elec- being brought back to levels higher, to this man’s rule. tions. These are our aspirations for the pre-Saddam levels in that country. Yet few—except for some countries in Iraqi people, and they are their aspira- They would talk in glowing terms the region, Kuwait and Israel—dare to tions as well. It is up to them to have about what they are getting done on denounce Hussein for what he did to the courage to move on, to realize building a free, open, democratic Iraq. his own people. Especially those coun- these aspirations in a free nation that Yes, problems, yes, difficulties, and, tries we call our allies in the Middle will bring democracy to their country yes, lost American lives. We have had East, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, have and to the Middle East. 37 people stationed at Fort Reilly failed to assume the moral leadership We have in Ambassador Negroponte killed in this conflict. to tell about the Saddam Hussein re- the chance to start a new chapter. On

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4975 July 1, sovereignty will pass to the Negroponte. This is the most impor- It reveals deeply flawed thinking, Iraqis. Ambassador Negroponte has tant nomination for an ambassador and deeply flawed perception. enormous responsibility, and judging that we have considered in several dec- Diplomacy cannot be measured by by his background, I cannot think of ades. outcomes as expected by the anybody better qualified to do this. This moment is historic. multilateralists. This is a definition of In his capacity as the Ambassador to We are asked to approve the Presi- diplomatic success that becomes a eu- Iraq, I know he understands his role to dent’s choice for an ambassador to a phemism for subjugating national in- be fundamentally different from that country whose previous leadership was terest to international veto. of Ambassador Bremer. Whereas the an enemy to America, to its neighbors The citizens of Utah reject this CPA is the ultimate political authority and to its own people. That dictator- thinking, and they are correct. And I in Iraq, the Embassy will be in a sup- ship, the brutal and bloody regime of believe the rest of the country does as portive, not commanding, role. His role Saddam Hussein, was removed by force, well. is to provide support in democratiza- by a coalition of nations led by this If diplomacy cannot be measured by tion and rule of law, religious freedom country, in a military campaign where multilateral consensus, it should not and tolerance, economic reconstruc- we still face, every day, bloody resist- be shunted by unilateral arrogance. To tion, and security and counterterror- ance from the remnants of Saddam’s suggest, as many on the left seem to do ism. His mission will be to further co- Ba’athis regime, his criminal associ- these days, that this administration operation with the U.N., the inter- ates, and the international jihadists has ignored diplomacy is to, in my national community, and independent who have joined forces with the tat- opinion, ignore the facts. Iraqi electoral authorities, and all as- tered remnants of the Arab world’s This administration has been, in my pects of election preparation, which is bloodiest regime. opinion, extraordinarily engaged in the critical for elections for a transitional We are engaged in a conflict we can- international community. national assembly, no later than the not, and will not, lose and the Presi- No President since the founding of dent has shown that our military de- end of January 2005. the United Nations has been as respect- termination is matched by our polit- He will need to assist the U.N. in es- ful, solicitous and encouraging of the ical determination to return this coun- tablishing an independent electoral United Nations as has President Bush. try to its people, beginning with the commission, an electoral law, and a po- That he has done so without ever sacri- opening of an American embassy on litical parties’ law, encourage Iraqis to ficing the fundamental sovereignty July 1 of this year. establish effective governing institu- That we are providing our advice and that rests in our Constitution makes tions in Baghdad and the provinces, as consent on this ambassadorial nomina- him no less remarkable for the very well as a myriad reconstruction efforts. tion demonstrates that this President public appeals he has made directly to This will be a critically important area is dedicated to returning sovereignty the United Nations. because he will be responsible for hold- to the Iraqi people. Under the Presi- On November 10, 2001, fewer than 2 ing these projects to the highest stand- dent’s direction, Ambassador Bremer months after the most catastrophic ards of financial accountability. He has and the Coalition Provisional Author- terrorist attacks on our homeland in the responsibility to the American peo- ity, working with the international the history of the Republic, President ple that the money for Iraq will be community, now represented by U.N. Bush traveled from Washington to spent without waste and fraud, and in Special Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, have speak before the U.N., where he recog- this context, he will need to encourage listened to Iraqi leaders and are hold- nized: Iraq’s new leaders to choose sound eco- ing to the deadline of June 30 for the The United Nations has risen to this re- nomic policies and enforce high stand- transfer of authority. sponsibility. On the 12th of September, these ards of integrity in public administra- That transfer of authority and the re- buildings opened for emergency meetings of tion. turn of sovereignty require that the the General Assembly and the Security Council. Before the sun had set, these at- Ambassador Negroponte will also U.S. political presence be transferred need to play a key role in building and tacks on the world stood condemned by the from the office of the administrator, world. And I want to thank you for this strengthening the capacity of Iraqi se- held by Ambassador Bremer, to a U.S. strong and principled stand. curity services to deal with both do- embassy, to be led, if this Senate ap- mestic extremists and foreign terror- Less than a year later, on the day proves, by Ambassador Negroponte. after the first anniversary of Sep- ists so that they patrol and deal with Jerry Bremer and John Negroponte tember 11, President Bush traveled terrorists in their country and our are two of the finest diplomats ever to from the White House to address the troops are garrisoned. He should con- serve this country. Their contributions General Assembly again, where he de- tinue to bolster the role of a robust throughout their careers reveal skill clared: multinational force, but mostly build and dedication that will set the stand- up the Iraqi force. ards for our diplomatic corps for gen- The conduct of the Iraqi regime is a threat Finally, he should make sure the role erations to come. to the authority of the United Nations, and of the U.N. does not come at the ex- a threat to peace. Iraq has answered a decade I truly hope that Ambassador of U.N. demands with a decade of defiance. pense of U.S. influence or interest, but Bremer, when his historic mission is All the world now faces a test, and the rather the efforts be well coordinated over with the CPA, will continue to United Nations a difficult and defining mo- and complementary. play a leading role representing our ment. Are Security Council resolutions to be Ambassador Negroponte has a big country to the world. honored and enforced, or cast aside without job. He is up to it, and I support his Ambassador Negroponte has rep- consequence? Will the United Nations serve nomination to be Ambassador for the resented our country to the world on the purpose of its founding, or will it be ir- United States in Iraq. many fronts, serving as ambassador in relevant? Mr. President, I yield the floor. the Philippines, Mexico and Honduras. The President answered the question: The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Most recently he has served as perma- The United States helped found the United CHAFEE). The Senator from Oregon. nent representative to the United Na- Nations. We want the United Nations to be Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, what is tions, where he has been as our ambas- effective, and respectful, and successful. We the parliamentary situation? sador since September 18, 2001. want the resolutions of the world’s most im- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ma- There are those who charge that this portant multilateral body to be enforced. jority side has 80 minutes. administration has been unduly unilat- Critics of this administration have Mr. HATCH. We are on the Negro- eral, caustic to coalition-building, and declared that our doctrine of preemp- ponte nomination? dismissive of the diplomacy necessary tion, not a doctrine new to this admin- The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is to winning the war on terrorism that istration, is incompatible with a desire correct. erupted on our land on September 11, for international consensus. Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, I stand 2001. This is simply not true. today in full support of the President’s Frankly, that charge, now becoming For a nuanced perspective, may I rec- nominee to be our first ambassador to a theme in a campaign year, leaves me ommend a review of none other than the new Iraq, Ambassador John D. baffled. Secretary General Kofi Annan’s words,

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4976 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 in his address of October, 2003 before lition, can further contribute to the process If you want to support the transition the General Assembly? In that speech, of rehabilitating Iraq, both politically and to the first stage of Iraqi sovereignty, he was expected to denounce the doc- economically. as the President has committed to do trine of preemption. But while he stood I want to be clear that a vital United by the end of June, if you want to sup- by the principle of collective action en- Nations role does not come at the ex- port continuing our appeal to the shrined in article 51 of the U.N. Char- pense of the United States’ influence or international community to join in the ter, he recognized, as the honest man interests. Our efforts can be well co- historic cause of rebuilding Iraq, and if he is, that states which were threat- ordinated and complementary; there is you want to support this President, as ened had to respond, and that if the ample evidence across a broad range of he asserts his constitutional preroga- United Nations were to retain its legit- situations that a strong partnership tive to conduct diplomacy at this most imacy in the 21st century, it would with the international community, in- critical time in the history of our for- have to develop mechanisms to cluding the United Nations organiza- eign policy, you must support his su- tion, is in our strategic interest. promptly address the threats of this perb selection of John D. Negroponte I hope my colleagues recognize that new century. in supporting this nominee, we are sup- to be the first Ambassador to an Iraq In my view, this was a recognition, porting a man of exceptional experi- free of despotism. by the Secretary General of the United ence, a man who represents the best He is certainly going to have my Nations no less, that in dealing with thinking by this administration on the vote. I have met him in various nations Iraq, 12 years and 14 resolutions with- challenges we still face in Iraq. He is around the world. I have seen him in out resolve could not be the way the also a very good man, a good father, a action in diplomacy. I know what a United Nations retained its relevancy good husband. He is an example to us brilliant man he is, I know what a good in addressing the security challenges all. man he is, I know what a fine man he we face today. Let us be honest: The challenges in is, I know what a good family man he In that same week, President Bush Iraq remain large. is, and I know what he has meant to addressed the General Assembly yet a Our engagement there is historic, the diplomatic corps in this country, third time. And I note that no Presi- and our commitment to support this and I know what he has meant at the dent of the United States has addressed engagement until we achieve success United Nations. the General Assembly three times in must remain strong. I support him fully, and I hope every one term. He declared: As all of my colleagues, I have been other Senator in this body will support The Security Council was right to be shocked by the reports out of Abu him as well. There may be some who do alarmed about Iraq. The Security Council Ghraib prison in the past weeks. not, but if they don’t, they just plain was right to declare that Iraq destroy its il- I have been shocked and I have been do not know the man. legal weapons and prove that it had done so. disgusted. This is not an easy position. This is a The Security Council was right to vow seri- I join the people of Utah, and the position which will take a great deal of ous consequences if Iraq refused to comply. good citizens throughout this country, courage, a great deal of diplomacy, a And because there were consequences, be- in expressing how appalled we all are great deal of common sense, a great cause a coalition of nations acted to defend at the barbarous acts we have wit- the peace, and the credibility of the United deal of genius. This is the fellow who Nations, Iraq is free and today we are joined nessed. In the prison that Saddam Hus- can provide all that. in the General Assembly by representatives sein used to torture Iraqis, a few Amer- Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a liberated country. icans have engaged in acts that demean of a quorum. John Negroponte, as ambassador to Iraqis and besmirch the honor of Amer- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The the United Nations, stood by the Presi- icans in uniform. clerk will call the roll. Every day, members of the American dent during those three historic ad- The assistant legislative clerk pro- military are risking their lives in Iraq, dresses to the international commu- ceeded to call the roll. in order to bring about a better society Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President, I ask nity. for the Iraqi people. Today, the President has chosen our unanimous consent that the order for In combat, American military, the the quorum call be rescinded. current ambassador to the United Na- best trained in the world, have, time tions, John Negroponte, to be the first The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without and again, exercised restraint of force objection, it is so ordered. U.S. ambassador to an Iraq liberated in order to minimize civilian casual- from tyranny. Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President. I do ties. Sometimes that restraint has re- appreciate the opportunity to discuss Ambassador Negroponte has worked sulted in increasing the risk to our sol- my very good friend, John Negroponte, with the United Nations through this diers. That a handful of American sol- in support of his nomination to be the most historic of times. During this diers committing brutalities in one of United States Ambassador to Iraq. time, he worked closely with U.N. Spe- Saddam’s reclaimed prisons could John and I have known each other cial Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi on sup- occur is worthy of all of our outrage— porting Afghanistan after our forces not least because we are proud of the since 1977 with his appointment as Dep- deposed the Taliban. Ambassador honor and decency and sacrifice offered uty Assistant Secretary of State for Brahimi’s efforts to guide the transi- by the vast majority of our military in Oceans and Fisheries Affairs with the tion in Iraq from the Coalition Provi- Iraq everyday. rank of Ambassador. Because he han- sional Authority to sovereignty under We must expose what went on in Abu dled several fisheries negotiations of an interim government has, as my col- Ghraib prison. We must conduct full in- vital interest to my state, John was a leagues know, the support of President vestigations, and follow those inves- frequent visitor to Alaska. In 1978, Bush and his administration. tigations wherever they lead. Those John negotiated a breakthrough agree- Ambassador Negroponte understands who committed crimes must and will ment with the Government of Japan this. In his statement before the Sen- be held accountable. Respect for the which provided crucial protection for ate Foreign Relations Committee, he Iraqi people demands this, as does re- Alaskan salmon stocks from Japanese said: spect for the honor of all Americans in high seas fishing fleets. This agreement The prospect of legitimacy that the United uniform, and all Americans who sup- provided countless benefits to the Alas- Nations can bring to the process of political port them. kan fishing community which endure reconciliation is a point of crucial interest The security situation in Iraq is still to this day. in both the region and the broader inter- hostile. We face enormous challenges, I have also had the pleasure of work- national community. With an expanded challenges we will meet. We have ing with John in his subsequent assign- United Nations role in the political arena, I learned in recent days about the Presi- ments: as Ambassador to Honduras; as believe that it will be easier to generate the dent’s request for appropriations to Assistant Secretary for Oceans and international support that the successful re- International Environmental and Sci- habilitation of Iraq requires. Secretary Gen- fund our historic mission. This will eral Annan’s and Ambassador Brahimi’s con- lead to further debate, as it should. entific Affairs, as Ambassador to the tributions may well open the door to cre- Our duty as legislators is to render Philippines and more recently as U.S. ative thinking about ways in which the democratic scrutiny to the most im- Ambassador to the United Nations. In international community, as well as the Coa- portant issues before this government. each situation, I was able to witness

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4977 first hand his ability to manage large Ambassador Negroponte’s job will of clarity with regard to this tragic sit- and complex diplomatic missions and begin in less than 2 weeks with little or uation we see now with regard to the to observe his effectiveness and sensi- no definition about what he will be administration of prisons and detain- tivity in dealing with his foreign coun- doing. There are no secure or thought- ees. The fact is, no matter what we do, terparts. ful political or security plans in place. every time the administration executes Educated at Yale, he speaks five lan- We do not know who will be making one of these policies, there is a flip- guages fluently—something that I con- those judgments, how those people will flop. sider a true asset for this position. be chosen, their role, or what the true The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- I believe President Bush, on the rec- definition of sovereignty in the context ator has 1 minute remaining. ommendation of Secretary of State of this June 30 transfer will be all Mr. CORZINE. The idea that we were Powell, has chosen extremely wisely about. We do not know how they will not going to have the U.N. involved; and well in his selection of John to be be selected. We do not know what the now we have the U.N. involved. We our Nation’s representative in Iraq. I role of the Ambassador will be with re- were going to have de-Baathification; also believe that at this point in time gard to those individuals. It is very un- and then we have reentry of Baaths. in our Nation’s history, it is vital to clear what sovereignty means. The issue of deployment of troops. have John at the helm in Iraq—we will By the way, put into the most dra- I am supportive of this Ambassador, need his expertise to help guide us matic terms today, what is the role of but it is high time we get a consistent, through the next few months. I can tell the new ambassador with regard to thoughtful policy that is vetted with you without any question, this man is what is happening to the prison more than a few, narrow interests in- one of the most distinguished public guards? Who will be responsible for side the Pentagon and maybe inside servants that I have had the honor of that? Sovereignty questions are totally the White House. We need to have a knowing and serving with. I know his unclear. We still do not have a struc- real discussion about the direction of family and I know this man. ture for our forces and how they fit in our policies on occupation and transi- With the unfortunate development and what we do going forward and what tion of political power and sovereignty. we have recently had in terms of the is the relationship with the United Na- It is too costly. conduct of some of the people involved tions. In the context of this series of events in the prisons in Iraq, I am confident This is a real problem. We continue that all Americans are repulsed by, we that John Negroponte is the man nec- with failed and confusing policies. need to stand back and say it is time to essary to be there, in Iraq, to represent They are true with regard to the U.S. be thoughtful and fully vet the kinds of our Government. He will represent us Ambassador. But they reflect the basic policies we are going to put in place be- well, and we will be very well served by incompetence we have seen with regard cause this is a long-term project. his confirmation. to our crippled occupation from the I yield the floor. I urge the Senate to quickly confirm start, some might even say our crip- Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I want John Negroponte as our Ambassador to pled war from the start, because we ex- to talk briefly about Ambassador John Iraq. I thank the Chair. ecuted this with real questions about Negroponte and support his confirma- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- what the justification was with regard tion to be the United States’ first am- ator from New Jersey. to weapons of mass destruction in rela- bassador to the free and democratic Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, may I tion to al-Qaida. We have continued it Iraq. Not only will he be the first am- inquire of the time allocation for each with poor planning, or no planning, bassador to the free and democratic side? with regard to the occupation that has Iraq, but he will be the first ambas- The PRESIDING OFFICER. There been in place. sador to Iraq since the first Gulf War in are 10 minutes remaining. Right from the start, there were 1991. Mr. CORZINE. I request permission questions about what the force struc- Ambassador Negroponte is one of the to use 5 of those minutes and be in- ture needed to be on the ground. We most experienced diplomats in the formed when 4 minutes have been used have heard over and over again the State Department. His experience is of the time allocated. warnings General Shinseki gave us, necessary for this job because he will The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without several hundred thousand troops, dis- be assuming one of the most chal- objection, it is so ordered. missed out of hand by the Pentagon. lenging and important positions the Mr. CORZINE. Mr. President, like The administration has refused to talk State Department has ever had. you, I sit on the Foreign Relations about the cost of this occupation and Throughout his career in the State Committee and I reviewed the nomina- what the cost to the American people Department, Ambassador Negroponte tion of this experienced diplomat, our will be, aside from the tragedy of the has been stationed at eight different U.N. Ambassador, John Negroponte. I, loss of life. When there have been pre- posts covering most parts of the world. too, both in the Foreign Relations dictions, they have been so far off base While he has not been previously sta- Committee and on the floor, will have it has made no sense in the context of tioned in the Middle East, I have no voted for his confirmation. reality. doubt in his ability to handle the task I do that, acknowledging, however, The administration promised or ahead. His experience representing the there are legitimate questions that can thought we would be greeted as lib- United States at the United Nations be raised about previous concerns in erators. We have been anything but since September 11 and serving in na- his tenure as an ambassador in Hon- that. Seventy percent of the Iraqi peo- tions like Vietnam and Honduras dur- duras, and human rights violations ple believe we are occupiers. There has ing periods of turmoil will guide him which are so important in the context been serious resistance with the insur- during Iraq’s transition to democratic of some of the things that are of great gency. By the way, history would have self-government. concern to us today. shown that would be the indication Many challenges lie ahead for Iraq, But more troubling to me is the con- that would occur in the Middle East. including holding orderly elections, es- text in which this confirmation is actu- But we dismissed every single outside tablishing government bodies, recon- ally being considered. expert, Member of Congress, who might structing infrastructure and the econ- The reality is, once again we are have raised any questions about it and omy, and securing the country. The doing something on the fly. We are emphasized we had a coalition of the United States will be a partner for rushing to confirm an ambassador to willing that was anything but a serious Iraqis throughout the coming chal- maybe the most important choice and coalition. lenges. role we have. In and of itself, it is in- Ninety percent of the cost, 90 percent Critical to the successful transition dicative of the crisis we have in Iraq— of the troops, 90 percent of the effort, to a sovereign Iraq is the participation frankly, the mess Ambassador or more, were all American. It is an of the international community. Am- Negroponte will be walking into. American occupation. The administra- bassador Negroponte has earned re- If the administration—I am very tion continues with these failed poli- spect among his colleagues while rep- troubled about this—sticks with an ar- cies. As we go forward, I certainly resenting the United States at the bitrary, artificial June 30 deadline, think we see it very clearly in the lack United Nations. He will do a fine job

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY S4978 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 6, 2004 working with other nations to help difference and we want to go back were severely misguided as well as Iraq flourish under the rule of Iraqis. there with our comrades so we can fin- those who suffered the shame and hu- In summary, I believe President Bush ish the job.’’ miliation of those acts. I have heard has made a fine choice in nominating I don’t believe anyone knows better many speak today about tearing down Ambassador Negroponte. I support his than those who are serving on the front this prison facility, and that is a good nomination and encourage my col- lines—those actually doing the work idea. Let’s rid the world of this terrible leagues to swiftly confirm him to this and living the dangers of life in a war prison and do it completely so that it vital position. zone every day. We have made a dif- will never house or harm another Iraqi. Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, I rise in ference in Iraq. We have removed a I hope that people in the United strong support of the nomination of brutal dictator from power and we are States and throughout the world will John Negroponte to be our U.S. Ambas- working with the Iraqi people to build remember that these deeds do not rep- sador to Iraq. When he takes his oath a nation based on democracy and free- resent the character of any but a few of office, Ambassador Negroponte will dom. We are continuing to make a dif- misguided American soldiers. This be our first ambassador to Iraq since ference every day in the schools we should not be the image that the world the Gulf War of 1991. help to build and operate, in the infra- has of our troops because it is not the I have had the pleasure of meeting structure we continue to improve and truth. I am pleased that action is being with the ambassador many times over repair, and in the sovereignty of the taken immediately to address this situ- the last 3 years. He was a member of people of Iraq which continues to com- ation. Charges are being levied, inves- the Foreign Service from 1960 to 1997 mand our deepest respect. We will con- tigations are continuing, and changes and he is currently serving as the U.S. tinue to make a difference through de- are being made to the prison adminis- Permanent Representative to the mocratization and the rule of law, eco- tration. We are blessed to have a truly United Nations. His leadership there nomic reconstruction, and security and exceptional military force whose image has been exemplary as he has provided counterterrorism. By supporting all should not be tarnished by the actions our country with a strong voice and a these areas, our diplomatic, civilian, of a few. presence at the United Nations that and military personnel will make a We have a job to finish in Iraq and we has been vital during these extremely lasting difference in the lives of the must not shy away from completing it. difficult times. His experience at the Iraqi people and they will, through The more rapidly the people of Iraq are United Nations gives him a great deal their efforts have literally changed the able to stand on their own, the sooner of insight into the thinking of the world. our troops will be able to come home. international community that will be I hope my colleagues will remember We have undertaken a job, and we can- invaluable in his new role in Iraq. that when we speak here on the Senate not afford to fail to complete the task Soon Iraq will be welcomed back into floor, our words are heard by those at hand. the family of nations and the rights brave men and women overseas. Our I have often heard it said that excep- and freedom so cherished by the people words are heard by their families and tional times call for exceptional people of our nation will become a part of their friends who make it possible for to lead us through them. We must have daily life in Iraq. Given our history in them to serve our Nation so well. They someone in Iraq who is able to fully the region, I am certain my colleagues are also heard by our enemies who look represent the United States at the time understand the wisdom of appointing to twist and distort our open discus- the Coalition Provisional Authority an experienced diplomat with an in- sions to make it appear that we have transitions out of the country. As the formed opinion and a vision for the in- lost our will to see this through to the chairman of the Foreign Relations stallation of a new government and the end. We must remember that fact each Committee stated this morning, we birth of a new nation of Iraq. time we speak. If you wonder how I cannot expect to wake up the morning During our consideration of Ambas- know if what I say is true, I can share on July 1 and have a fully functioning sador Negroponte’s nomination, I have my sources with you—our U.S. soldiers. U.S. Embassy. The time to plan for heard some of my colleagues express They have asked me more than once: that day is upon us and I encourage my their concerns about recent events in How come everything sounds so bad colleagues to join me in taking the Iraq. That is understandable, because back home when it is improving in first vital step by supporting Ambas- these are concerns we all share about Iraq? We keep hearing this rhetoric sador Negroponte’s nomination. With this sensitive region of the world. We which is based on the fight to win a the confirmation of this exceptional in- must not, however, allow those legiti- presidential election, and it has noth- dividual, we will ensure that we have a mate concerns to be politicized and ing to do with what is happening in strong U.S. voice on the ground and the used as a club against the President Iraq. Nonetheless, it has an impact on right person in charge who will show and his efforts to stabilize Iraq and in- the morale and safety of our troops. the world the level of our commitment troduce democracy there. Our soldiers’ I have spoken here on the Senate to Iraq. It will also underscore our de- lives are on the line and we owe them floor about the importance of sup- termination to make life better for every consideration while they are in porting our troops. I noted that we Iraqis for generations to come. It is a harm’s way. must remember to pray for our troops. dream we share with the Iraqi people Before anyone says I am being overly When we do, I think we should also be and, with the right people in charge, it sensitive to the rhetoric of a campaign praying for the opposition as well. We is a dream that will come true. year, let me share with you a few of should pray that the hearts of those we Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise to the details about what happened during fight will soften, and they will realize express my great admiration of our a trip I took in April when I was able the role they are playing in the world brave Montana servicemen and women to visit wounded U.S. soldiers at and in Iraq. It is not too late for them in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in to join us in the effort to build a better the world. These brave men and women Germany. Before we met them, I was Iraq for all its people. Praying can have put their lives on hold and on the anticipating they would need some en- make a difference, and it is up to all of line. Their families and their commu- couragement and we should try to lift us to do that every day. It is something nities—our communities—support their spirits after all they’d been we can do that is real and it has real them. These Montanans and all Amer- through. The opposite turned out to be power. With our faith, and our belief in ican soldiers are in our thoughts and the case. They encouraged me and our cause because it is just, we will prayers. We want them to come home strengthened my spirit and resolve to continue to provide the brave men and quickly and safely. see this through to the end. Every one women who serve in our armed forces, We need a plan to bring their mission of them, these brave men and women, their spouses and their families with in Iraq to conclusion. And we need the said to me—‘‘We are making a dif- the support and encouragement they administration to communicate that ference in Iraq. We know the people need and deserve by keeping them in strategy clearly to the world, and to there. We know our job. We are doing our thoughts and in our prayers. our brave troops. our job and the people are responding We also need to pray for those few I am deeply troubled by the allega- to what we are doing. We are making a soldiers at Abu Ghraib whose actions tions of abuse of Iraqi prisoners. I was

VerDate Mar 15 2010 21:43 Jan 29, 2014 Jkt 081600 PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4624 Sfmt 0634 E:\2004SENATE\S06MY4.REC S06MY4 mmaher on DSKCGSP4G1 with SOCIALSECURITY May 6, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4979 horrified by the images we have seen For the moment, having given a clear been there many times before, in the over the last week. Our nation, which signal, I suggest the absence of a sense of very difficult situations, tor- our men and women are serving with quorum and ask the time be charged tuous circumstances, dangerous predic- such honor, must lead by example if we equally to both sides. aments, ways in which he had to work want to win the global ‘‘war of ideas’’. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The with the elements of whatever adminis- Although we know the vast majority clerk will call the roll. tration he served, that may or may not of our men and women in uniform are The assistant legislative clerk pro- have agreed with his point of view, but serving honorably, these allegations of ceeded to call the roll. at the same time, through his experi- abuse demonstrate that we are not giv- Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, I ask ence and the gravity he brought to the ing our troops all of the support that unanimous consent that the order for issue, he was persuasive and effective. they need. the quorum call be rescinded. Finally, I conclude by saying John These images of prisoner abuse are The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without Negroponte is not any more certain not at all consistent with the prin- objection, it is so ordered. than Senator BIDEN or I am of precisely ciples I know our men and women in Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, we are what is going to happen day by day in the Armed Forces hold clear. Our men about to vote. I had an opportunity to Iraq. It is a day-by-day story. And that and women went to Iraq to protect this speak earlier today. Let me conclude is not all bad, in the sense that some- Nation, to make the world a safer and then yield back whatever time re- times we make improvements day by place. They have performed admirably mains by saying Mr. Negroponte is a day. Sometimes we are able to listen to under harsh conditions, sometimes serious diplomat with significant expe- the evidence, try to take a look at the with insufficient equipment, because rience. When he appeared before our rest of the world, talk to other people, they believe in their mission. I believe committee, he impressed me that he consult more broadly. in them and I will continue to make was more likely to be straightforward But the fact is, I believe Ambassador sure that they get the support they and unequivocal in answering our ques- Negroponte is prepared to consult. He need. tions. is prepared to talk. He is prepared to What our troops need now more than I will end where I began. I quite open up. He is responsive to our com- ever is visionary leadership. They Need frankly think we owe him and his wife mittee, to the Senate and, I believe, to to know what their mission is and a debt of gratitude for being willing to the Congress and, therefore, through when that mission has changed. They take on what, without exception, in my us, to the American people, the people must be trained for that mission and view, is the most difficult and, at this we serve. given all of the resources they need for moment, most dangerous job in U.S. di- The final point I want to make in it, be it body armor or bottled water. plomacy. this debate is I believe Members of the In order to win the war of ideas and I urge my colleagues to vote for Mr. Senate are not unreasonable, I believe make the world safer, we must share Negroponte, notwithstanding that they members of our committee are not un- our vision of how to win the global war may feel, as I do, that this administra- reasonable, in asking for discussion on terrorism. Sharing the vision to win tion’s policy on how to handle the cir- and consultation during these very dif- means building effective, lasting part- cumstance in Iraq has been seriously ficult times, because the support of all nerships with not just other countries wanting. of us—Democrats and Republicans, and governments, but international in- Do not confuse the lack of a coherent Americans—is going to be required. stitutions. The whole world benefits policy, from my perspective, anyway, I appreciate, on very short notice, from a stable Iraq. The U.S. needs to with a lack of competence and ability the preparation for the hearing of the work together with other nations to of Ambassador Negroponte. I urge a yes Ambassador. But I had the feeling he share the risk and responsibility U.S. vote on Ambassador Negroponte. did not need much notice; that, as a forces face today. Mr. President, I yield the remainder matter of fact, he has been thinking Sharing our vision of how to win the of my time. about these issues for a long time. His war on terrorism also means ensuring The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Sen- responses indicated a degree of both exemplary leadership for every private ator from Indiana. maturity but, likewise, willingness to first class in the United States armed Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I appre- listen that I found very appealing and services. We want to ensure that the ciate again the assistance of the distin- reassuring. unconscionable actions of a few mis- guished ranking member of the Foreign I encourage Members to vote for him guided soldiers do not endanger the Relations Committee, Senator BIDEN, so he might proceed to his duties. mission of the thousands who work day and, for that matter, all members. Having said that, Mr. President, I in and day out to fulfill that vision. Many of the members of our com- yield back the remainder of the time This is why I supported the Presi- mittee, of which the distinguished available on our side and ask that the dent’s nomination of Ambassador Chair is a member, have spoken today, Chair pose the question. Negroponte to be Ambassador to Iraq. and have indicated they plan to sup- Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and This administration must demonstrate port John Negroponte, as I will. nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a that it has not only the determination I think one reason why the com- sufficient second? but also the vision to win the war on mittee has this feeling is that we ap- preciate the fact he has been forth- There is a sufficient second. ideas that the war on terror truly has The question is, Will the Senate ad- coming in response to our questions. become. vise and consent to the nomination of He understands the gravity of the situ- Now is the time when we must share John D. Negroponte, of New York, to ation and its complexity. He does not our vision with the troops who serve be Ambassador Extraordinary and have a doctrinaire point of view, but with dignity and honor, with the Amer- Plenipotentiary of the United States of clearly recognizes the political reali- ican people and with the world. America to Iraq. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Who ties in Iraq, in this country, and in our The clerk will call the roll. yields time? international relations. The assistant legislative clerk called Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I inquire As a part of his responsibilities at the roll. of the Chair how much time remains on the United Nations, even as we speak, Mr. MCCONNELL. I announce that both sides. he is working with other nations on be- the Senator from Wyoming (Mr. THOM- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The mi- half of the best ideals of our country, AS) is necessarily absent. nority has 5 minutes and the majority and is attempting to bring to the peo- Mr. REID. I announce that the Sen- has 60 minutes. ple in Iraq the full possibilities that ator from Massachusetts (Mr. KERRY) Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, in a mo- might come from much more intense is necessarily absent. ment I will ask for a quorum call and and favorable and constructive rela- The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. COR- then shortly after that, ask unanimous tions with the United States and its al- NYN). Are there any other Senators in consent all time be yielded back and lies. the Chamber desiring to vote? we proceed to the question on Ambas- I was impressed in our hearing with The result was announced—yeas 95, sador Negroponte. Ambassador Negroponte, that he has nays 3, as follows:

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I think what Bennett Enzi Murkowski States’ abhorrence of the mistreatment we can do is make the broadest state- Biden Feingold Murray of prisoners in Iraq. ment we possibly can symbolically by Bingaman Feinstein Nelson (FL) Whereas the Abu Ghraib prison was Bond Fitzgerald Nelson (NE) leveling this prison. Boxer Frist used by Saddam Hussein to execute and Nickles Breaux Graham (FL) It seems as though the demons of the Pryor torture thousands of men, women and Brownback Graham (SC) Reed children; Saddam regime carried on in the dis- Bunning Grassley Reid guise of Americans who under ordinary Burns Gregg Whereas Saddam Hussein and his Roberts Byrd Hagel Special Security Organization oversaw circumstances would not have been Campbell Hatch Rockefeller conducting themselves in this way. Santorum the execution of thousands of pris- Cantwell Hollings oners; Carper Hutchison Sarbanes I do not believe in those ghosts, but Chafee Inhofe Schumer Whereas Abu Ghraib prison is notori- I do believe the message that can be Chambliss Inouye Sessions ously known as a death chamber by the Shelby sent is a very strong one: We do not Clinton Jeffords Iraqi people; condone this kind of behavior. The Cochran Johnson Smith Whereas the Abu Ghraib prison is ar- Coleman Kennedy Snowe very behavior we went to eradicate Collins Kohl Specter guably the largest and most feared needs to be eradicated once again. Conrad Kyl Stabenow prison in the Arab world; Those who are criminally responsible Cornyn Landrieu Stevens Whereas it is widely known that one must be held to the letter of the law, Corzine Lautenberg Sununu of Saddam’s sons, in one day, ordered Craig Leahy Talent and those who are responsible in the the execution of 3,000 prisoners at the Crapo Levin Voinovich chain of command must also be held to Daschle Lieberman Warner prison; DeWine Lincoln Wyden Whereas the recent reports of the the highest standards of our military. NAYS—3 atrocities and abhorrent mistreatment I think we can say to the Iraqi people Dayton Durbin Harkin of Iraqi prisoners in the Abu Ghraib more than we are sorry, which we are, prison are un-American, do not rep- more than we wish it had not occurred, NOT VOTING—2 resent our values, and have sent the that we stand with them to eradicate Kerry Thomas wrong message about the United States this kind of behavior once and for all, The nomination was confirmed. intentions in Iraq; at least in that prison. Perhaps sym- Mr. LUGAR. I move to reconsider the Whereas the American people will bolically it will help all recognize this vote. not tolerate the mistreatment of Iraqi kind of behavior is unacceptable any- Mr. CRAIG. I move to lay that mo- prisoners; place in the world. tion on the table. Whereas the American people view this prison as a symbol of evil, and I have traveled with my colleagues to The motion to lay on the table was various parts of the world, to South agreed to. where past cruel torture and mistreat- ment occurred; Korea, the Baltics, Afghanistan, and The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under Iraq, and those photos do not represent the previous order, the President shall Whereas the American people would like to rid the world of this evil place those men and women who serve our be immediately notified of the Senate’s Nation honorably or share the values action. where past and, unfortunately cur- rently reported mistreatment has oc- we Americans hold dear. f curred; This prison was the tool of a violent, LEGISLATIVE SESSION Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That repressive regime. It is as much a sym- it is the sense of the Senate that the The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under bol of Saddam’s regime as the statues Abu Ghraib prison, also known as the the previous order, the Senate will now honoring him throughout Iraq. It is Baghdad Central Detention Center, be return to legislative session. even more so in many respects because completely demolished as an expres- The Senator from Idaho. it represents the truth of what his rule sion and symbolic gesture that the was. Just as those statues were torn f American people will not tolerate the down, so should this prison be torn ORDER OF PROCEDURE past and the current mistreatment of down. This place has become a symbol prisoners. of abuses and atrocities first under the Mr. CRAIG. I ask unanimous consent We are offering this sense-of-the-Sen- that the Senator from Nebraska and I regime and now sadly with the new ate resolution today because we believe acts committed by our troops. We need be allowed to speak as in morning busi- it is a profound and clear expression of ness for no more than 10 minutes. to make a clean start. What happened the American people’s concern and it is in that prison is not American. It does The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without a sense of this Senate that we do not objection, it is so ordered. not represent our values, and we need accept the treatment that has gone on to let the rest of the world know in the Mr. REID. Reserving the right to ob- there of Iraqi detainees. ject, we would like 10 minutes fol- most visible way possible that these I yield the floor now to my colleague acts which were committed in that lowing the Senator from Idaho as in from Nebraska for a similar expression, morning business. prison are not the American way and and I send this resolution, as proposed, not the way America conducts itself. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there to the desk. objection? Without objection, it is so The PRESIDING OFFICER. The reso- We need to make a break from the ordered. lution will be received and appro- past. We need to level this prison. The The Senator from Idaho is recog- priately referred. symbol of atrocities, this home of nized. The Senator from Nebraska. abuses, should stand no longer. Let Mr. CRAIG. I thank the Chair. Mr. NELSON of Nebraska. I thank that be our stand, to tear down the f my colleague from Idaho for this op- prison, to hold those accountable who portunity to express our outrage at the have engaged in such activities as we DEMOLISHING ABU GHRAIB behavior of Saddam’s henchmen and have held Saddam accountable, and let PRISON for the disgust we have for what some us move on so we can say to the people Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, today the misguided soldiers apparently did in of the world, this is a new start, a Senator from Nebraska and I are intro- conjunction with the trust they had break from the past. Let us join with ducing a sense-of-the-Senate resolu- imposed on them in conjunction with the Iraqi people in building a new Iraq, tion. I will read it because I think it is prisoners. one that is founded not on the abuses

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