I have sworn to uphold the Constitution ... and a free press is absolutely vital to the freedom of this country.

I can tell you categorically that any mal- treatment of any detainees by U.S. forces or coalition forces is totally unacceptable - that our orders have and will continue to be that we will treat everyone in our charge with - humanely and with respect.

There has not yet been a major ground offensive battle... There are, we know, negotiations going on between the opposition forces and the Taliban leadership for surrender.

I believe that homosexual acts between individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts... I do not believe that the Armed Forces of the United States are well served by saying through our policies that it's OK to be immoral in any way, not just with regards to homosexuality.

The bottom line is that after we defeat the armed forces of Iraq, that we will want to and need to provide stability throughout that country.

From 8,000 miles away... I would not judge a fellow soldier from a friendly nation and how they are employing their resources.

Intelligence we gathered at the time indicated that this was in fact leadership and we struck the leadership.