The Army major general who released a scathing report in March on abuses at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison told a Senate panel on Tuesday that there was "failure of leadership from the brigade commander on down and lack of discipline" at the Baghdad-area facility.

Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba (pictured, left), whose 53-page report found "sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses" at the Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad, told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee there was "no training whatsoever and no supervision" for Americans guarding Iraqi prisoners at Iraq's most notorious prison.

The army officer also left open the possibility that members of the CIA as well as armed forces personnel and civilian contractors were culpable in the abusive treatment of prisoners.

"A few soldiers and civilians conspired to abuse and conduct egregious acts against detainees and other civilians outside the bounds of international laws and the Geneva Convention," he said.

Sen. Robert Byrd, D-S.C., asked Taguba whether there was a policy in place for American guards to "soften up" prisoners before interrogation.

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Taguba said he found "no policy whatsoever or no direct order -- written or otherwise."

"I believe (the guards) did it of their own volition," Taguba said. "I believe that they did it in collaboration with lower-level MI (military intelligence) interrogators."

Coalition Forces Land Component Command Lt. Gen. Lance L. Smith, who testified alongside Taguba, said such a policy would be illegal.

Questions about ultimate responsibility for control of Abu Ghraib prison produced a disagreement between Taguba and Stephen Cambone, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence.

Taguba said that control had been turned over to the military intelligence commander. Cambone, who testified alongside Taguba, said that was incorrect -- authority resided with the military police.

Taguba also said he found it hard to believe claims from the former prisons commander in Iraq, Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, who said she was excluded from certain parts of Abu Ghraib prison. He said he doesn't believe Karpinski, who's now suspended but has not been charged, would have been barred from any prison facilities in Iraq.

Taguba said his report did not apply to all practices at Abu Ghraib, pointing out that he was focused on allegations of abuse surrounding a military police brigade -- not intelligence-gathering activities. He said another investigation would be needed to look into intelligence-gathering practices.

Cambone, the Pentagon's top intelligence official, told senators that the Geneva Conventions "did apply to the conflict in Iraq" and that members of the military were under orders to follow those wartime guidelines.

The intelligence expert said it was tough to keep order at the prison, saying prisoners were continually being transferred and the prison itself repeatedly came under attack by insurgents. He said the general who formerly commanded the military police brigade that ran military prisons in Iraq "frequently" wasn't at Abu Ghraib.

Cambone echoed last week's testimony by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld by offering his "deepest apology" to any Iraqis who were abused. He also said officials don't have all the facts about the latest allegations, saying several investigations are ongoing.

Seven soldiers from the 372nd Military Police Company are facing criminal charges. One, Spc. Jeremy Sivits, a Pennsylvania reservist, is scheduled for a court-martial in Baghdad next Wednesday.

Taguba's appearance comes as talks are under way to determine when senators would get to see more photos and at least one videotape said to show abuse.

The Pentagon has agreed to show the as-yet unreleased material to the committee. It is part of what Taguba said are numerous photos and videotapes taken by troops.

The hearing comes a day after the Senate unanimously approved a resolution condemning the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib.

Members of two congressional panels and military witnesses, including Rumsfeld, repeatedly discussed the report during hearings last week. Lawmakers and President George W. Bush have questioned why the report, along with photos depicting abuses, were not mentioned to the president or Congress until being reported by American media.

Last week, Bush mentioned Taguba's report while mildly reprimanding Rumsfeld, saying "I should have known about the pictures and the report." Bush said then and again Monday that he supports Rumsfeld remaining in his job as defense secretary despite some Democrats' calls for his resignation.

The Taguba Report -- ordered in January by Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the commander of American forces in Iraq -- found that "several U.S. Army soldiers have committed egregious acts and grave breaches of international law" at Abu Ghraib.

The testimony was announced as the Pentagon grapples with whether still-unreleased photos and video of abuses should be released to the public.

Bush To Troops: Don't Let Scandal Distract From Mission

Bush tells U.S. troops in Iraq they shouldn't let the prisoner abuse scandal distract them from their mission.

He said in an interview with Armed Forces Radio and Television that those who committed the abuses will not be allowed to stain the military's honor.

Bush vows "to make sure the truth comes out" and urges the military not to lose focus.

Bush has seen another batch of photos -- plus some video clips -- of Iraqi prisoners being abused by Americans.

The White House said Bush saw about two dozen images Monday at the Pentagon. It's not yet clear how many of those will be made public.

Bush told aides he felt "disbelief" after seeing the pictures.

Reservists To Seek Change Of Venue

A lawyer for an Army reservist shown in pictures smiling at naked Iraqi prisoners said she can't get a fair trial at Fort Bragg, N.C.

That's where Pfc. Lynndie England was reassigned.

She's one of seven soldiers charged with mistreating prisoners at Abu Ghraib.

Denver-based attorney Giorgio Ra'shadd said England is being offered up as a scapegoat.

He accused Rumsfeld and other Pentagon officials of "hiding behind a 20-year-old farm girl from West Virginia."

Another lawyer for England said no attorney in the Fort Bragg area would even return England's phone calls. Her legal team -- from the Denver area -- spoke with reporters Monday night.

Red Cross To Stick With Policy Of Confidentiality

The international Red Cross plans to stick with its policy of confidentiality when it comes to dealing with prisoners of war.

The agency has been under some pressure to go public with its findings of prisoner abuse in Iraq.

A spokeswoman for the Red Cross said they believe the quiet approach is the best protection for victims of war. She added that making suspected violations public won't necessarily change the situation on the ground.

The agency's behind-the-scenes approach came under attack after one of its confidential reports was leaked. The report, published in The Wall Street Journal, indicated abuse at U.S.-run prisons in Iraq went on for more than a year, even though the Red Cross complained privately to American officials many times.

Whistleblower's Family Proud, Worried

They're proud of him -- but they're worried for him too.

Joe Darby's brother and sister-in-law said it took a lot of courage for him to notify his superiors in Iraq about the mistreatment of prisoners. Darby's tip triggered the investigation that has resulted in charges against several soldiers.

Larry Darby, of Cumberland, Md., said a lot of people don't like what his brother did, which "could put a mark on Joey's back."

So far, though, he said all the phone calls and messages have been supportive.

Debbie Darby said it's been good for her children to see someone in their family do something "courageous and right." But she echoed her husband, saying it's a "very uncomfortable situation."