Transcript of Bush on Al Arabiya

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Q    Mr. President, thank you for giving us this chance here in Al

Arabyia.  Regarding the alleged abuse of Iraqiprisoners, six U.S. soldiers are beingreprimanded.  Do you think that's enough?

THE PRESIDENT:  First, I want to tell the people of the Middle East that the practices thattook place in that prison are abhorrent and they don't represent America.  They represent the actions of a few people.Secondly, it's important for people to understand that in a democracy thatthere will be a full investigation.  Inother words, we want to know the truth.

In our country, when there's anallegation of abuse -- more than an allegation in this case, actual abuse, wesaw the pictures -- there will be a full investigation and justice will bedelivered.  We have a presumption ofinnocent until you're guilty in our system, but the system will be transparent,it will be open and people will see the results.  This is a serious matter.  It's a matter that reflects badly on mycountry.  Our citizens in America are appalled by what theysaw, just like people in the Middle East are appalled.  We share the same deep concerns.  And we will find the truth, we will fullyinvestigate.  The world will see theinvestigation and justice will be served.

Q    And you just -- you've said this is reflected badly here, in

the United States of America.  How do you think this will be perceived inthe Middle East?

THE PRESIDENT:  Terrible. I think people in the Middle East who want to dislike America will use this as an excuseto remind people about their dislike.  Ithink the average citizen will say, this isn't a country that I've been toldabout.  We're a great country becausewe're a free country, and we do not tolerate these kind of abuses.

Thepeople of the Middle Eastmust be assured that we will investigate fully, that we will find out thetruth.  They will know the truth, justlike the American citizens will know the truth, and justice will be served.

Secondly, it's very important for thepeople of the Middle East to realize that the troops we have overseas aredecent, honorable citizens who care about freedom and peace; that are workingdaily in Iraq to improve the lives of the Iraqi citizens, and these actions ofa few people do not reflect the nature of the men and women who serve ourcountry.

Q    After these pictures came out, some people in the area started

talking about anotheralleged abuse.  Could you tell us aboutwhat's being done to prevent this from happening and just to improve thesituation?

THE PRESIDENT:  Absolutely. I have told our Secretary of Defense, and I have instructed him to telleverybody else in the military, I want to know the full extent of theoperations in Iraq, the prison operations.  We want to make sure that if there is asystemic problem -- in other words, if there's a problem system-wide --