Editorial: Let’s prove our disgust

Tuesday, May 4, 2004 | 9:54 a.m.

The tormenting of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers, as seen in photos that have been published around the world, has been rightfully condemned here at home. "I shared a deep disgust that those prisoners were treated the way they were ..." President Bush said Saturday. British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is contending with pictures purportedly showing British soldiers behaving the same way, also reacted strongly, saying, "We went to Iraq to get rid of that type of thing, not to do it."

Internationally, reaction has been equally strong. What else can civilized people say when they learn of such inhumanity? The pictures show soldiers taunting and laughing as Iraqi prisoners, many of them naked, are forced to assume humiliating positions.

Initially we think of the victims, whose treatment violates all conception of how our military treats prisoners. Then we think of the damage the photos are doing to U.S. prestige. Reaction in the Arab countries has been especially damaging to the image we so need to convey, that of our armed forces as liberators. And countries more friendly to us will have yet another reason not to join our coalition. This could prolong our stay in Iraq, delaying Iraqi self-rule and increasing our casualties. The photos could also incite more insurgency against our troops and place captured American military members and civilian workers in even greater danger.

President Bush seems genuinely committed to thorough investigations. So far, six U.S. military police soldiers are facing criminal charges and seven other U.S. soldiers have been reprimanded. Bush needs to make sure, however, that the investigations will go as far -- and as high -- as the evidence takes them. For our standing in the world, for the protection of our troops and workers, and for the sheer humanity involved, we must prove to the world this was a sickening aberration, not official policy.