Porter Goss: “Mr. Speaker, we have always known that the war on terrorism was going to be lengthy and difficult. President Bush told…”

“Mr. Speaker, we have always known that the war on terrorism was going to be lengthy and difficult. President Bush told us that from the very beginning. Americans everywhere have girded up for a sustained conflict across the globe, around the world. We have great and justifiable pride in our troops and all they have accomplished. We have accepted the necessary sacrifices in the war on terrorism with a heavy, but a resolute heart in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. However, it is impossible to accept the apparently isolated, but nonetheless totally deplorable instances of blatant prisoner mistreatment that have surfaced in the past week. These actions, particularly when contrasted with the courageous and honorable decisions made day in and day out by the vast majority of our American soldiers in difficult circumstances, must be strongly condemned. The charges of abuse will be examined fully and immediate corrective measures taken to prevent against their reoccurrence. That is assured. No equivocation can be tolerated. Wrong is wrong. The international community will be watching America's actions closely, and now is the time to demonstrate anew that the American soldier respects the rules of engagement and always values justice and humane treatment of detainees and prisoners.”