May 4, 2004 Letter to President Bush
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
May 4, 2004
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As a former Marine, I’ve found the stories and images of U.S. servicemembers involved in humiliation and torture of prisoners in their charge to be especially distressing. The Geneva Conventions exist for the protection of all nations that agree to adhere to their principles. If we are to continue to keep our men and women safe from suffering such humiliations and torture should they be captured, we must ensure that the entire world has no doubt as to our disapproval of the actions of those American men and women serving in Iraq who engaged in such disgusting activities themselves. There can be no leniency if we are to retain the protections of the Geneva Convention for ourselves. Don’t let these crimes go unpunished Mr. President.
Reports and photographs of Iraqi prisoners being tortured and abused are provoking a global backlash against the U.S., at the very moment when we most need the world’s help to manage the mess in Iraq.
To restore our good name, America must support an immediate, independent, impartial and public investigation into all allegations of torture in Iraq. The investigation must include representatives from Arab nations.
Sincerely,
James Landrith
cc:
The Honorable John William Warner, United States Senate
The Honorable George F. Allen, United States Senate
The Honorable James P. Moran, U.S. House of Representatives