Bush stands by his man Rumsfeld

President George Bush issued a strong endorsement of embattled Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld today, telling him after a meeting at the Pentagon: “You are doing a superb job.”

With Rumsfeld at his side, Bush said his Cabinet officer was “courageously leading our nation in our war against terror … You are a strong secretary of defence and our nation owes you a debt of gratitude.”.

Bush’s comments appeared designed to head off rising speculation that Rumsfeld would resign as both men braced for the anticipated release of more pictures and video images showing Iraqi prisoners being abused by American soldiers.

Bush, facing indications of waning public confidence in his senior military ranks and declining credibility abroad, went to the Defence Department for what officials said was a previously scheduled briefing.

But the session took on new significance because of the torture and sexual humiliation of prisoners uncovered at the Abu Ghraib prison.

Also attending today’s war council session at the Pentagon were Secretary of State Colin Powell CIA Director George Tenet General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs and General John Abizaid, top commander of US forces in the Middle East.

Bush pledged that those who abused prisoners would be brought to justice.

“We will honour the rule of law,” he said.

He also promised that “all prison operations in Iraq” would be fully reviewed to make sure similar abuses do not happen again, and that there will be a full accounting for the “cruel and disgraceful abuse of Iraqi detainees”.

Bush said what happened in the prison does not reflect the “character” of the more than 200,000 military personal who have served in Iraq.

“Men and women across the Middle East are watching closely. And they will see America keep its word,” he said. He took no questions after his remarks.

The president acknowledged that images of Iraqi prisoner abuse had damaged America's image abroad.

“Those responsible for these abuses have caused harm that goes well beyond the walls of a prison. It has given some an excuse to question our cause and to cast doubt on our motives,” Bush said.

On Capitol Hill, senators scheduled another hearing on the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers.

Witnesses at tomorrow’s hearing include Major General Antonio Taguba, author of the report that found numerous “sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses” at the prison near Baghdad.

Meanwhile, a Gannett Company newspaper that reports on the US military said in an editorial that responsibility for the scandal lies at the highest levels of the Pentagon, including Rumsfeld and Myers.

Both men are guilty of “professional negligence,” the Army Times editorial said.

“This was not just a failure of leadership at the local commander level,” the editorial said. “This was a failure that ran straight to the top. Accountability here is essential – even if that means relieving top leaders from duty in a time of war.”

In his Pentagon remarks, Bush said there will be a full accounting for the “cruel and disgraceful abuse of Iraqi detainees,” calling it “an insult to the Iraqi people and ... an affront to the most basic standards of morality and decency.”