Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick: “it is unfortunate that I find myself opposing this resolution. I do so because it is only a half way measure that…”

“it is unfortunate that I find myself opposing this resolution. I do so because it is only a half way measure that attempts to gloss over the scope of the problem regarding the treatment of prisoners and detainees in Iraq. First of all the resolution is limited to only the situation in Iraq when we are given to understand that the problem extends to the treatment of detainees in Afghanistan and in Guantanamo Bay. Second, the resolution fails to call on the administration to provide assurances that it will treat all classes of detainees, prisoners and enemy combatants to the standards established by the Geneva Convention. Third, it does not call on the leadership of this Congress to embark on an investigation of these 'abhorrent' acts, as President Bush described this very sad episode that has left an indelible impression throughout the Arab world. Fourth, the resolution seems to limit accountability to those in our Armed Services, principally the enlisted ranks of our Army, and exculpates those higher-level officers and civilian authorities within the chain of command. Fifth, the resolution says nothing about investigating civilian, private military firms (PMFs) who are working under contract with the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA).”