WASHINGTON, May 6 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush has confidence in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld despite the scandal of prisoner abuse in Iraq, the White House said Thursday.
Rumsfeld, who will be grilled about the sexual degradation and physical abuse of Iraqis detainees by U.S. troops in a Baghdad prison, was reportedly chastised by Bush Wednesday over Bush not having been told sooner about the depth and breadth of the abuse scandal that exploded in the media last week.
A military investigation into prisoner abuse allegations in Baghdad was completed in early March, but Bush only learned of the extent of the alleged abuse and saw photographs of it when it was reported on a television program.
"The president very much appreciates the job Secretary Rumsfeld is doing and has great confidence in his leadership," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said.
Bush had called Rumsfeld Monday and told Rumsfeld those guilty of mistreating Iraqi prisoners must be punished. On Wednesday, Bush gave interviews to two Arab television networks in which he called the abuse abhorrent and promised punishment for those involved.
Six soldiers so far face criminal charges over the abuse allegations, which has caused an international uproar.
