Cord Byrd: “the world is now well aware of the story surrounding PFC Jessica Lynch, the young soldier from Palestine, WV, who was…”

“the world is now well aware of the story surrounding PFC Jessica Lynch, the young soldier from Palestine, WV, who was taken prisoner by the Iraqi military on March 23. She is now recovering from her captivity at a military hospital in Germany. While we regard with awe the reports of her courage at the time of her capture, as well as the daring of the troops who carried out her rescue from that hospital deep in Iraq, our Nation cannot forget that there are others who have been captured or who have gone missing during this war. The Pentagon reports that seven Americans remain in Iraqi hands, and that eight of our troops remain missing. These troops deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The resolution before the Senate, which will shortly be voted on, is right to point out that the Government of Iraq, even in the waning days of its authority, is obligated under the Geneva Convention and customary international law to give humane treatment for our captured troops and protect them against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity. The resolution makes a clear and commendable statement about how we expect our prisoners of war to be treated by Iraq.”