Since the scandal of brutal abuses of Iraqi war prisoners by US soldiers were disclosed the US has received unanimous condemnation from the international community and the image and reputation of the US was seriously damaged. The US Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said days ago he took full responsibility of the occurrence. Nevertheless calls for his resignation have been running up increasingly and his leave or stay has become a focus of the media.

Some Democratic politicians made statements recently strongly calling for Rumsfeld's resignation. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Rumsfeld has been deliberately covering up the truth since the disclosure. Democrat Senator Tom Harkin said in his statement that from the consideration of national interests, US military security and America's image in the world Rumsfeld should resign. If he refuses to do so Bush should relieve him from his post. The New York Times carried an editorial on May 7 entitled Donald Rumsfeld Should Go, saying that Rumsfeld is personally responsible for the Abu Ghraib abuse scandal, that the United States has been humiliated and it is time for him to go.

As things go along Rumsfeld is facing more and more pressure. But according to analyst whether Rumsfeld can save his job as Defense Secretary depends, to a large extent, not so much on the call of the Democrats but on the attitude of Republicans in the White House, that is, whether they are going to let him stay on his job.

Regarding the war in Iraq the Bush administration so far hasn't been able to produce evidence that Iraq possessed "weapons of massive destruction", nor any proof to show that the Saddam regime was connected with Al-Qaida. For this reason, the international community has long been doubted about the legitimacy of the war. Public opinion holds, considering that Bush hasn't fired anyone on an issue of such a magnitude it is unlikely that he would dismiss Rumsfeld for a "small matter" like abusing war prisoners, not to mention the fact that Rumsfeld is a chief policy framer regarding Iraq in the Bush administration. Besides it is only two months away from transferring sovereignty to the Iraqis and the situation is still not stable. The presidential elections will be held in less than six months. At such a juncture Bush is unlikely to change one of his chief officials or it would produce a negative effect on his re-election plan that relies heavily on his "anti-terrorism" achievements. Moreover, though Bush reprimanded Rumsfeld for the abuses of war prisoners he has recently said on various occasions, he still has confidence in Rumsfeld, stressing that Rumsfeld has provided his country with remarkable service, that as an important member of the cabinet he would continue to stay on his job.

Rumsfeld said during May 7 Congress hearing that he offers his "deepest apology" to Iraqi prisoners abused by US military personnel and as Defense Secretary he takes full responsibility. After the hearing, Democratic congressmen demanded his resignation whilst Republican congressmen expressed their support of Rumsfeld. As Republican senator, member of the Military Committee of the Senate believes, the fact that he dares to apologize proves that he has done a right thing, that since it is not completely clear who should be responsible for it, it would be exactly what the enemy wants if he stepped down now, and that Rumsfeld deserves another chance.

Some analysis says that whether Rumsfeld will resign turns on another important factor, that is, his own will. Regarding this question Rumsfeld said at the hearing that the key question regarding his resignation is whether or not he can still function effectively on his post, that he would not resign simply because people try to make a political issue out of it, but if his resignation would help demonstrate the seriousness with which the government handles the issue he may resign as Defense Secretary.

By People's Daily Online