Following the release of today's report, Senator Collins issued the following statement:
"Secretary Schlesinger''s panel shed much-needed light on how the terrible abuses at Abu Ghraib could occur. The panel found that although the abuses were unauthorized, indirect responsibility for them goes up the chain of command.
"The abuses at Abu Ghraib were abhorrent and undermined the countless acts of compassion, courage, and kindness performed every day by our troops in Iraq. The individuals directly responsible for these acts will be brought to justice in the military criminal system. In my initial review of the report, however, I am struck by the failures of the chain of command. The panel identified a severe shortage of guards at the prison and found that the soldiers often received confusing or unclear direction.
"The Department of Defense needs to move quickly to reform its training and procedures to ensure that America''s reputation can never again be tarnished in this manner.
"As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I also will receive a full, classified briefing tomorrow on another investigation of the prison abuses completed by Major General George Fay. This report, as well as the Schlesinger panel''s findings, will help ensure that those responsible for these abuses are held accountable."
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