FILE PHOTO OF US DEFENSE SECRETARY RUMSFELD, 2003-12-09 (photo)

A December 9, 2003 file photo shows U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld speaking to reporters at the Pentagon. U.S. President George W. Bush, compelled to publicly condemn the abuse of Iraqi prisoners in interviews on Wednesday, has privately expressed annoyance to Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over his handling of the issue, aides said. Bush knew of the allegations in general terms around the time the U.S. military issued a statement about them in mid-January, but aides said he only learned how severe the abuse had been a week ago when CBS broadcast photographs showing Iraqi prisoners in humiliating poses. The aides said the president had complained to Rumsfeld for not having fully alerted him to the details. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia MG/JDP