Wednesday, May 12, 2004

Collins: Stay focused on winning war against terrorism In response to the news during the past two weeks centering on the on-going prisoner abuse investigations at the Abu Ghraib prison in Baghdad, and Friday's testimony by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, U.S. Rep. Mac Collins (R-Georgia), a Member of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, called on all sides to quit the prejudging and stay focused on the most important issue facing America and the world - winning the war against terrorism. “Let the investigations of what happened at Abu Ghraib prison go forward.Ê Let our military justice system respond to what happened and take the appropriate action against those responsible for these acts.ÊThe news media and those who are anti-war and anti-Bush should stay focused on the military's tremendous efforts to win this war against terrorism. The prejudging, speculating and conjecturing should stop,” Collins said. Collins emphasized that what is happening in Washington is designed to keep America’s focus off of defeating terrorism.Ê”Terrorism is real.ÊIt is scattered in many places around the world. We need to stay focused on the war against terrorism, defeat terrorism and provide security and safety for our country.ÊWe must continue to be focused on winning the war on terrorism,” Collins said. “The President said it well in his State of the Union Address this year.ÊWe are a nation of many responsibilities, but the primary responsibility is the safety of the American people,” said Collins. Collins also said Rumsfeld should remain as Secretary of Defense. “President Bush has stated his resolve to get to the bottom of this situation and has instructed Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld to punish those who are found guilty. The proposition that Secretary Rumsfeld should drop his focus on the war against terrorism and devote all his time to Congressional and media hand-holding, is not acceptable,” Collins concluded.