POW Resolution Unanimously Approved

The House on Thursday passed a resolution demanding that Iraq abide by international laws regarding prisoners of war. Lawmakers were reacting to a videotape of U.S. prisoners being interviewed by Iraqi officials and to images of Americans who had been killed.

"I am appalled by what we have initially heard about the treatment of our soldiers," said Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga. Referring to Saddam Hussein's government, Kingston said, "Although nothing should surprise us from this brutal regime, this sends a strong signal to Saddam's henchmen that the world is watching and they will be brought to account for their actions."

The resolution, a largely symbolic measure, passed in a 419-0 vote.

The Geneva Conventions on the humane treatment of those affected by war says prisoners of war must be protected "against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity."

Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., criticized the Arab satellite television network Al-Jazeera for airing the video, calling it "deplorable." Pence also had strong words for the Qatar government, where the television station is based.

The fate of some American soldiers who are missing in action remains unknown.

A Marine general Wednesday said it is possible Iraq executed some of those other missing troops.

The Pentagon lists 17 Americans as POWs or MIA.

Iraq has broadcast images of five members of the Army's 507th Ordinance Maintenance Company personnel captured near an-Nasariyah on Sunday and two Army helicopter pilots taken captive when their Apache went down in a raid on Republican Guard positions near Baghdad Monday.

In addition to those seven - classified as prisoners of war - 10 others are considered missing in action.

Eight are members of the 507th; two others are Marines who disappeared crossing Saddam Canal in eastern Iraq. Two other members of the 507th are listed among the 24 U.S. war dead.

The United States has faulted Iraq for showing pictures of the prisoners of war, which the U.S. claims violates the Geneva Convention on treatment of POWs. Article 13 of the Convention bars any "humiliation" of prisoners.

While many photographs of Iraqi prisoners have been shown, Lt. Gen. John Abizaid on Sunday said the Iraqi footage was different because it was humiliating.

"I would say the pictures were disgusting," Abizaid said.

In it, the disoriented-looking soldiers were asked questions about why they were in Iraq. They responded that they were only following orders. The two Army airmen were also shown on television, but apparently were not questioned on air.

President Bush said Sunday he expected that Iraq treat any prisoners "humanely, just like we'll treat any Iraqi prisoners."

Pentagon spokesperson Victoria Clarke has warned "those who harm POWs will be found and punished as war criminals. The Iraqi regime must allow the International Red Cross to see the prisoners."

There has been no word yet on whether the Red Cross has been able to make contact with any POWs. The organization said it had been in touch with Iraq's government on the matter, and warned that logistical problems can often prevent quick access.

In the Iraqi television footage of the five Army POWs, several bodies were seen. They appeared to be American troops, but that is not confirmed.

Marine Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Wednesday on CNN that the Iraqis "have executed prisoners of war." The general was apparently referring to some of the missing Army personnel.

Defense officials who have viewed the tape have said privately that several of the bodies had execution-style gunshot wounds to their heads.

Intelligence officials have received one uncorroborated report indicating that at least some of the dead soldiers had been captured alive and executed in public, a senior Pentagon official said Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

The information - which did not come from an intercepted communication - is of undetermined reliability, the official said. The troops could also have been killed in battle, or mistakenly during the act of surrendering.

Referring to a separate Iraqi video of two dead British soldiers, Prime Minister Tony Blair said they, too, had been "executed."

Asked what he based that statement on, Blair said: "The reason I used the language that I did is because of the circumstances that we know."

The U.S. led coalition has taken about 4,000 Iraqis prisoner, and the Pentagon makes a point of contrasting their treatment with that given by the Iraqis to coalition troops. The Pentagon notes it has provided at least 50 enemy prisoners with medical treatment.

"We are treating all of the POWs in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, with dignity and respect," Clarke said Monday.

The House resolution approved Thursday demands that Iraq obey the Geneva Conventions, condemns violations of those rules to date, and calls for the Red Cross to have access to Americans held captive.

It also "joins the president in warning all Iraqi authorities that any individual who mistreats any prisoner of war in violation of that Convention shall be considered a war criminal and prosecuted as such to the full extent of United States and international law."

Twenty-three U.S. troops were taken prisoner in the first Gulf war. Some alleged they were starved or tortured by the Iraqi regime.