Rumsfeld resignation would not solve problems in Iraq
(USATODAY.com)
Updated: 2004-05-12 11:31

Though U.S. President Bush's trip to the Pentagon on Monday had been planned before the Iraqi prisoner scandal erupted, his visit looked like a rescue mission for embattled Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Ignoring calls for Rumsfeld to resign, Bush stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his Pentagon chief and lauded his "superb job."

Bush's effusive words did little to quiet the furor over the photos showing abuses of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. soldiers at the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad. In fact, the Bush administration is bracing for more outcries as new details emerge at military trials and congressional hearings into the abuse of foreign captives in Iraq and elsewhere. The Pentagon is debating whether to release hundreds of photos and some videotape.

As the scandal widens, many Democrats are demanding that Rumsfeld quit or be fired. They argue that the abuses occurred on his watch and have dealt a grievous setback to U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq.

Certainly, a thorough investigation of prisoner abuses is required. And those who ordered or condoned the mistreatment up the chain of command should be punished.

But forcing Rumsfeld to quit now is too simple a response to the deeper concerns the scandal raises about the administration's handling of Iraq. A mere change in Pentagon leadership without needed adjustments in the Iraq operation is not in the best interests of Iraqis or the U.S. public.

Instead, a more fitting way to determine how Rumsfeld can best serve his country is to measure him against the standard he set for himself last Friday. "If I thought that I could not be effective, I wouldn't want to serve," he told a congressional committee.

Now, he has an opportunity to demonstrate his effectiveness by crafting corrections in areas that can move the U.S. closer to its goal of stability in Iraq. They include:

Prisoners. The growing prisoner abuse scandal has not only horrified Americans, Iraqis and the world. It also has undermined U.S. assurances that troops are in Iraq to bring American values such as democracy and respect for human rights. It also has reinforced charges by humanitarian groups that while fighting the war on terrorism the U.S. has trampled on the rights of prisoners who have been held without trial for more than two years in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Rumsfeld's Pentagon has been missing in action on addressing the complaints. While it knew about problems in Iraq for months, it responded forcefully only after photos became public. Military trials for low-ranking soldiers in Iraq start on May 19, but criminal charges have yet to make it up the chain of command. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and other military experts want an investigation independent of the Pentagon and disclosure of all photos and videotape. In addition to giving full cooperation to investigators, Rumsfeld can set clear guidelines for foreign-prisoner treatment that follow U.S. and international law.

U.S. troops. The U.S. mission in Iraq since the fall of Baghdad 13 months ago has suffered from poor planning by the Pentagon. Rumsfeld insisted the U.S. could win the war and rebuild Iraq with no more than 150,000 U.S. troops.

Today, overstretched U.S. forces are bogged down fighting a spreading Iraqi insurgency, and thousands of troops - including reserves and National Guardsmen - are having their tours of duty extended beyond a promised year. Yet Rumsfeld has resisted calls in Congress and by numerous retired generals to send in tens or hundreds of thousands of reinforcements to relieve exhausted troops and deal with the insurgents more effectively. By adjusting policy, Rumsfeld can show he recognizes that the current strategy is failing.

Foreign allies. Before the Iraq war, Rumsfeld alienated countries opposed to the invasion by deriding them with such names as "Old Europe." Today, many are refusing to send troops or other support for the U.S. in Iraq because Rumsfeld's Pentagon has shut them out of any decision-making role. Greater flexibility could begin to turn international snubs into needed help.

Iraqis. A USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll last month showed that few Iraqis believe the U.S. intends to transfer real power to them any time soon, even though Bush has set a handover date of June 30. The Pentagon has helped foster the impression of a lasting occupation by promoting leadership positions for favored exiles with little popular support. It also has insisted on keeping tight control over security after a handover. Giving Iraqis and the United Nations more say in shaping a transition could help dispel Iraqi fears that the U.S. will keep real control.

Rumsfeld's critics say his ouster would send the signal that the administration takes accountability seriously and is prepared to address the broader failures in Iraq.

Still, forcing Rumsfeld out doesn't guarantee those needed adjustments. Better, for now, to give the Defense secretary a fighting chance to show that the U.S. can learn from its mistakes - and correct them.

( Courtesy of USATODATY.com )

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