On May 6, US President George W. Bush, in the face of visiting king of Jordan and domestic and foreign correspondents, expressed his apologies for the first time, at the Rosary of the White House, for US troops' maltreatment of Iraqi captives and prisoners. Prior to this, when he accepted the interview by two Arabic language television stations, he admitted the acts of maltreatment as “abhorrent" and indicated that he would investigate the matter and affix responsibilities on and severely punish those involved without mercy. He uttered a lot of stern remarks, but he still did not want to spell out the term "apology". This late-coming apology was really made against his will. The reasons why he did so follow.

First, it was because Bush was unable to cool the Arab world's wrath against the United States. After photos showing US troops' maltreatment of Iraqi prisoners were spread from Arab countries, Arab people were boiling with rage against the United States. Even some America’s important allies in the Arab world also expressed their alarm and strong dissatisfaction. They put US troops on par with Saddam Hussein. US "humanity", "human rights", "freedom", "liberation" and other high-sounding words are subject to query and doubt. If at first the United States tried to convince other countries of the Arab world of understanding its overthrow of the Saddam regime under the pretext of Saddam's dictatorship, savage and violation of human rights or of keeping one eye open and the other closed toward the acts of US troops, then now the Arab people not only have something to say, but also are unable to contain their anger.

Under the circumstance in which the current Iraqi situation is getting worse, if the Arab world is really aroused to rise in a common struggle against the incident of maltreatment, then the United States will lose completely in its Middle East strategy, and the consequences will be unimaginable. It was out of this consideration that Bush took a rare act to accept the interview by the Arabic language television stations in the hope of glossing over the matter by reproaching his subordinates and using as pretext the latter's acts "cannot represent the United States". However, the Arab people do not acknowledge that. An Arab League spokesman said, "So far, we have only seen military conflicts and Arab prisoners being maltreated. The United States holds high the banner of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights, but these have never been realized." Arab newspapers also censure Bush for failing to make apologies for the maltreatment of prisoners. It is clear that it is very hard for Bush to get through without making public apologies.

Second, it was because Bush does not hope to cause greater trouble in Iraq and to lose the war morally in the hearts of the Iraqi people. If other countries of the Arab world therefore have query and feel discontented with the United States flaunting the banner of "humanity", "human rights", "freedom" and "liberation", then what the Iraqi people taste is the distressing bitter fruit. The Iraqis have seen through the true features of US troops from the great insult and terrible disgrace they suffer, their anti-American sentiment will run increasingly high, and armed uprising will become increasingly fierce. Twelve hours after Bush's acceptance of the interview by the Arabic language television stations, the incident of a suicide car bombing occurred at a checkpoint of the US military and civil affairs headquarters in Baghdad, which again inflicted casualties on US troops. It is precisely because the Iraq issue has become increasingly serious that Bush asked the Congress to make additional allocations in Iraq while delivering his televised speech.

Third, it was because Bush hopes to redeem US reputation and position in the international arena as far as possible. The scandal regarding US troops' maltreatment of Iraqi prisoners has discredited the United States in the whole world. The United Nations and other international organizations all censure the US practice. Additionally, many countries were already resentful over the Iraq war launched by the United States, the scandal has made the international community have greater doubt about US aim and practice, even Bush himself admits, "The incident has affected our country's image." Under the circumstance in which US reputation is going downhill, if the United States fails to make the minimal apology, it will undoubtedly become badly discredited.

Fourth, it was because Bush wants to cool popular indignation at home. After the scandal regarding US troops' maltreatment of Iraqi prisoners was exposed, a poll shows that the rate of public support for Bush has slid down to the lowest point since he took office. This year of election has seen the greatest trouble for Bush. With respect to the handling of the incident, even the Republicans expressed their discontent with Bush, not to say public opinion and the Democrats, the voice demanding resignation of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has kept ringing in the ears. Counter-terrorism, Iraq and foreign policy are the trump card in the hands of Bush for re-election, now the incident has affected his own reputation and election prospect, is it all right not to make public apologies?

(People’s Daily May 9, 2004)