MAJOR GENERAL ANTONIO M. TAGUBA, US Army, CF

1234567891011121314151617181920212223compounds. And I said-- I said, “It doesn’t sound like dignity andrespect to me.” “These are prisoners.” I heard that a hundredtimes, sir. “These are prisoners.” The soldiers don’t have thosekinds of things. In the middle of the summertime when we were stillrationing water up in Baghdad, I understand. I understand how youcould be in conflict when you have to give three bottles of water toprisoners and you only have to give two to each soldier. But, thenyou’re in compliance with Geneva-Hague, with the road ahead, the planfor the road ahead. And----Q. But that was a directive, General Karpinski, it was adirective not to be questioned, that it was to be followed.A. It was followed. But soldiers have the right to questionit. Not whether it will be implemented or not, but they have a rightto their opinions.Q. Absolutely, but I think it is your responsibility to insurethat one, that there’s an understanding for them to be able toameliorate themselves of a particular situation that they would be incompliance with, as you said, the Geneva Convention, treatment forthem as opposed to treatment for all others.A. Sir, I said to General Wodjakowski many times, I can’t sayif it was six or sixty, many times. I said it to General Fast, Isaid it to Hitwell, who was the previous Provost Marshal. We haveresponsibilities, we have to treat these prisoners-- when I submitted81