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Bush stands behind Rumsfeld; Says he'll stay in Cabinet; Democrats call for resignation.

Article Excerpt
Byline: Joseph Curl and Stephen Dinan, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

President Bush said yesterday that Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld will remain in the Cabinet, despite calls from Democrats for the Pentagon chief to resign over the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners.

"Secretary Rumsfeld has served our nation well," the president said in the White House Rose Garden. "Secretary Rumsfeld has been the secretary during two wars and he is an important part of my Cabinet, and he'll stay in my Cabinet."

Democrats on Capitol Hill ramped up their rhetoric yesterday, with the House minority leader charging that Mr. Rumsfeld has orchestrated a "cover-up" over the prisoner scandal, which reached a boil this week after photographs emerged showing smirking U.S. soldiers abusing naked Iraqis.

"I think that Mr. Rumsfeld should step down," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California told reporters. "Mr. Rumsfeld has been engaged in a cover-up from the start on this issue."

Sen. Tom Harkin, Iowa Democrat, echoed her call.

"For the good of our country, the safety of our troops and our image around the globe, Secretary Rumsfeld should resign. If he does not resign forthwith, the president should fire him," he said.

Under pressure to issue an apology for the actions of U.S. soldiers, Mr. Bush did so, with King Abdullah II...