Kerry Version:

"Let me just say very quickly that the horrifying abuse of Iraqi prisoners, which the world has now seen, is absolutely unacceptable and inexcusable. And the response of the administration, certainly the Pentagon, has been slow and inappropriate. I believe the president needs to guarantee that the world is going to have an explanation. What happened there has done a disservice to all of our troops who serve with great valor and greater courage and, I think, with distinction. And it also undermines America's own efforts in the region. It has the potential of putting our troops, the rest of them, in further jeopardy. It can increase acts of terror against America and Americans. And it undermines the overall effort of the United States in the region. So I think it is important to have an understanding of this as rapidly as possible and to make that explanation and any other appropriate comments to the world."—Los Angeles, May 5, 2004

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