WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- President George W. Bush personally expressed through Arab television interviews Wednesday America's outrage of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. forces.
The White House said Bush, who found photographs of sexual humiliation of prisoners in a Baghdad prison "disgusting," conveyed his dismay in a White House interview with the U.S.-sponsored al-Hurra station and separately with the Arab network al-Arabiya.
Bush told the stations "those responsible for these shameful acts will be held accountable," McClellan said.
The sexual and physical abuse of prisoners, he said, was "intolerable and inexcusable" and "does not represent our values."
Allegations of prisoner abuse by U.S. forces first surfaced in January and an investigation was announced. The scandal blew up into a major issue last week when photographs were broadcast and published by the media showing abuse of Iraqis at Abu Ghraib prison and the gloating of U.S. soldiers in the frames.
At least six U.S. military personnel face charges over the abuse and others may face administrative punishment procedures.
The alleged abuse has been condemned nationwide and internationally and produced a firestorm reaction in the Middle East, undermining Washington's moral and political high-ground stance in its occupation of Iraq.
