Are you aware--are you, Mr. Secretary--aware of reports that Iraqi women detainees in U.S. custody were assaulted or raped?

If we don't have a policy, doesn't that just strengthen the hands of the Iranian hardliners?

Yeah, but we're not doing anything.

Now, does the Pentagon--Mr. Secretary, does the Pentagon plan to maintain any permanent military bases or combat troops in Iraq?

I would like a detailed report, and perhaps a briefing, of where that is.

We went to war in Iraq for a lot of reasons that turned out not to be valid.

I wonder if some of the planners were simply listening to some of the rosy scenarios coming out of the administration that somehow we're going to be greeted as liberators when we came in there.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

So have you ruled out the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq?

We gave unprecedented powers to the administration. I've never known any administration, Republican or Democrat, when the Congress has just said, 'Here, here's a blank check.'

I would think you would have Presidential directives.

I appreciate that.