Media Stakeout with Senator John Cornyn Following Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on Abuse of Iraqi Prison Detainees

Federal News Service

HEADLINE: MEDIA STAKEOUT WITH SENATOR JOHN CORNYN (R-TX) FOLLOWING SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE HEARING ON ABUSE OF IRAQI PRISON DETAINEES

LOCATION: DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BLDG., WASHINGTON, D.C.

BODY:
SEN. CORNYN: I guess the question was did the secretary save his job. And I think the secretary has fully explained both the gravity of what has happened here, the culpability of a handful of troops who have acted contrary to American values. But also he's explained, I think very well, the seriousness with which the Department of Defense and the military has undertaken this investigation.

What I am concerned about, of course, is that, as he just stated, that not all of the facts are in. Indeed, it may be that there will be additional photographs leaked from this confidential criminal investigation. And he has said that some of them are, as the ones we've already seen, shocking to the conscience.

Q Do you think it will put more pressure on him to step aside when these photos come out?

SEN. CORNYN: Well, I only wish that those who so rashly and prematurely called for the secretary's resignation even before he had a chance to explain, as he did today, what the Department of Defense had done would-I wish they had been there to listen, because obviously, there is more involved here than just these terrible acts, the investigation and holding those responsible accountable. There's, I think, political point scoring going on here, too, like these rash calls for resignation without giving the secretary an opportunity to explain the seriousness with which they have conducted the investigation and held those who did wrong accountable.

Q But Senator, at some point shouldn't there be someone at a high level to perhaps fall on their sword, that -- (off mike) -- may be the honorable thing to do in some circumstances?

SEN. CORNYN: Well, I know there ware those in Washington who would like to see somebody's head on a platter, but I don't think that serves the purpose of not only making sure we win the war on terror, but that we give people a fair chance after we hear what the facts are. What I believe the facts we've heard so far are that the secretary of Defense, and all the way up and down the chain of command, after these reports were first lodged on January the 13th, handled this is a responsible manner. They issued a press release from CENTCOM-Central Command-in Baghdad on January the 16th announcing this investigation, but also announcing that to leak details of this matter out prematurely would jeopardize the possibility of holding those who were responsible accountable in a court of law. And that's certainly something that I think we wouldn't want to see happen.

Q What's your answer to the question of can he remain effective as secretary, as Senator Lindsey Graham asked him? Do you think he can?

SEN. CORNYN: I heard nothing today that undermines my confidence in his ability to act, to continue acting as secretary of Defense.

Q Isn't this really about the photographs? If if weren't for the photographs, we wouldn't even be here today.

SEN. CORNYN: Well, I think you put your finger on something very important. The words were on paper and released in a press release on January 16th by Central Command reporting that there had been abuse of detainees and there was an investigation under way. But it wasn't until the American people could see the pictures that it was really brought home in a startling and shocking way.

Q You said political point scoring. Aren't the Republicans trying to prevent some political fallout from this, as well?

SEN. CORNYN: All I can do is speak for myself and say all I want to do is make sure that we understand that there's more than one thing going on here. Number one, we are shocked because of the violation of American values by the handful of wrongdoers involved here. But there's also other values of fairness and due process and getting both sides of the story before we make a judgment. And to me, there's too many people around the Capitol and Washington who want to get the secretary's head on a platter without giving him a chance to tell his side of the story, which I thought he did well today.

Q But you do believe he should have told Congress earlier; no?

SEN. CORNYN: Well, he said he wished he had revealed at least the existence of the leak of these pictures earlier. And I think he's right. But I don't think he could be expected to reveal the contents of a confidential criminal investigation prematurely. But once they knew that they had gone public, when they were in the hands of the media and the broadcast was imminent, he acknowledged that he should have told Congress and the president sooner. And I think hindsight is always 20/20. But he's right.

Q Would you characterize it as a failure in judgment, or how would you see that error that he's admitted?

SEN. CORNYN: I'm sorry?

Q How would you characterize the error that he's admitted to? Just as a --

SEN. CORNYN: I would say he's a human being. And he admitted our common affliction, and that is imperfection.

Thank you very much.

Q Thank you, Senator.