LANSING, Mich. — National security adviser Condoleezza Rice said Friday the U.S. can mend its damaged image in Iraq by dealing openly and firmly with those responsible for the abuse of war prisoners.
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, she acknowledged the revelations of prisoner abuse are "very disturbing" and a setback for the Iraq campaign.
"I do believe how it's handled can demonstrate to the people of Iraq and perhaps to the people of the Middle East the essential difference between a democracy and a dictatorship," she said. "In democracies, young soldiers say when abuse like that takes place. It was a soldier who called this to the attention of a superior."
She added, "Nobody ever said human beings are perfect because they're in a democracy. The difference is that in a democratic system, acts like these are exposed and dealt with."
Rice, who later delivered the commencement address to graduates at Michigan State University, defended Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and laughed off suggestions that she could be in line to succeed Rumsfeld should he resign over the Iraq prison controversy.
"Donald Rumsfeld doesn't need a successor. The president made it clear that he expects Don Rumsfeld to be his secretary of defense," Rice said. "I work with Don Rumsfeld, and there is no more dedicated person in these complicated and difficult times."
Rice's arrival at the university Breslin Center drew about 100 boisterous demonstrators who chanted anti-Bush slogans, pounded drums and displayed signs that accused Bush and Rice of conducting an immoral war.