Defense officials say some U-S soldiers ARE missing -- while the Arab satellite television network -- Al-Jazeera -- broadcasts pictures of what are said to dead American soldiers – and alleged American prisoners of war. U-S President George W. Bush says American prisoners of war MUST be treated humanely.
GEORGE W. BUSH, U.S. PRESIDENT
“The POWs I expect to be treated humanely, just like we’re treating the prisoners that we have captured humanely. If not the people who mistreat t he prisoners will be treated as war criminals.”
On NBC television Sunday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said showing pictures of prisoners of war is illegal.
DONALD RUMSFELD, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
“You know under the Geneva Convention it’s illegal to do things with prisoners of war that are humiliating to those individuals. The United States, of course, avoids showing photographs of prisoners of war.”
Secretary Rumsfeld added the U.S. is holding Iraqi prisoners in camps in Iraq.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – General Richard Myers said Sunday less than 10 American soldiers are currently missing.
Meanwhile, U.S. and British forces battled with Iraqi troops near the southern Iraq port city of Um Qasr. The ground fighting raged for hours as pockets of Iraqi forces refused to surrender.
Coalition forces also encountered some resistance as they continued to gain ground in their push toward the Iraqi capital Baghdad. British and American forces took control of the strategic Faw Peninsula – in southern Iraq.
Explosions again rocked Baghdad Sunday. Witnesses said evidence of air strikes could be seen at some of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s palaces, ministry buildings and the country’s secret intelligence headquarters.
Also in Baghdad Sunday – Iraqi troops and security forces surrounded the Tigris River – after reports an American or British plane had gone down there. U.S. officials denied that claim.