Expect Little and You won’t be Surprised

President Bush told a skeptical Arab world on Wednesday that the treatment of Iraqi prisoners by some members of the U.S. military was “abhorrent” and does not represent the America he knows. He conceded mistakes but stopped short of apologizing, leaving the contrition to his spokesman.

…Bush’s interviewers did not ask him whether he thought an apology was appropriate, and Bush did not offer one.

…In the Al-Hurra interview, Bush said it was important for “the people of Iraq to know that everything is not perfect. That mistakes are made. But in a democracy, as well, those mistakes will be investigated, and people will be brought to justice.”

…Bush also expressed continued confidence that a peaceful Palestinian state can emerge from the Israel-Palestinian conflict, defending his support — criticized across the Arab world — for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s territorial plans.