Inhofe says prisoner abuse story in Iraq is being overplayed

US Senator Jim Inhofe says the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal is being used for political gain. Inhofe spoke about it during a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill. <br/><br/>Inhofe says he wants those responsible

Wednesday, May 12th 2004, 5:31 am

By: News On 6

US Senator Jim Inhofe says the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal is being used for political gain. Inhofe spoke about it during a Senate hearing on Capitol Hill.

Inhofe says he wants those responsible punished, but adds the situation has been overplayed. "The idea that these prisoners, you know, they're not there for traffic violations. If they're in cell block 1-A or 1-B, they're prisoners, they're murderers, they're terrorists, they're insurgents. Many of them probably have American blood on their hands. And here we're so concerned about the treatment of those individuals."

Senator Inhofe also presented an e-mail from John Kerry's presidential campaign. The document calls for the firing of Donald Rumsfeld while asking for campaign contributions. A Kerry spokesman says Inhofe is trying to turn Senate business into a political stunt.