In an about-face, White House opposes release of alleged prisoner abuse photos
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obama-photos14-2009may14,0,7759867.story
In an about-face, White House opposes release of alleged prisoner abuse photos
The Obama administration had earlier agreed to make controversial images from Iraq and Afghanistan public, but now claims their publication could put U.S. troops in danger.
By Michael Muskal
12:04 PM PDT, May 13, 2009
The Obama administration changed direction today, announcing that it would oppose the release of photographs showing the alleged abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The administration this month had agreed to release dozens of the photographs, but reversed course after top military officials said they were concerned that the photos could put U.S. troops in jeopardy, particularly in Afghanistan.
Obama "believes that the release of these photos could pose a threat to men and women we have in harm's way," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
Gibbs also said that the release of the photos "would provide a disincentive" for further investigation of abuse. "Nothing is added by the release of the photos," he said.
The reversal was criticized by the American Civil Liberties Union. The move violated the promise of openness that the Obama administration has pledged, the group charged.
"The decision to not release the photographs makes a mockery of President Obama's promise of transparency and accountability," said ACLU attorney Amrit Singh. "It is essential that these photographs be released so that the public can examine for itself the full scale and scope of prisoner abuse that was conducted in its name."
The photos pose a politically difficult situation for Obama, coming as the president's more liberal supporters are seeking further investigation of how the Bush administration interrogated detainees in Afghanistan and Iraq. Former Vice President Dick Cheney has been pushing back in recent television interviews, accusing the Obama administration of having compromised U.S. security by releasing the "torture memos," relating to how prisoners were questioned.
The pictures in dispute show the alleged abuse of detainees at various locations. Pictures of abuse at the U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq already have been made public.
Citing the Freedom of Information Act, the ACLU successfully sued for the release of the photos. After the rulings, the Justice Department agreed that further appeal would probably fail.
But today, Gibbs said the Obama administration would pursue a different argument in any appeal. Obama believes that the national security implications of a release have not been fully presented, Gibbs said.
Military leaders, including Secretary of Defense of Robert M. Gates and commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan, opposed the release fearing growing anger in the Muslim world.
In an about-face, White House opposes release of alleged prisoner abuse photos
The Obama administration had earlier agreed to make controversial images from Iraq and Afghanistan public, but now claims their publication could put U.S. troops in danger.
By Michael Muskal
12:04 PM PDT, May 13, 2009
The Obama administration changed direction today, announcing that it would oppose the release of photographs showing the alleged abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The administration this month had agreed to release dozens of the photographs, but reversed course after top military officials said they were concerned that the photos could put U.S. troops in jeopardy, particularly in Afghanistan.
Obama "believes that the release of these photos could pose a threat to men and women we have in harm's way," White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
Gibbs also said that the release of the photos "would provide a disincentive" for further investigation of abuse. "Nothing is added by the release of the photos," he said.
The reversal was criticized by the American Civil Liberties Union. The move violated the promise of openness that the Obama administration has pledged, the group charged.
"The decision to not release the photographs makes a mockery of President Obama's promise of transparency and accountability," said ACLU attorney Amrit Singh. "It is essential that these photographs be released so that the public can examine for itself the full scale and scope of prisoner abuse that was conducted in its name."
The photos pose a politically difficult situation for Obama, coming as the president's more liberal supporters are seeking further investigation of how the Bush administration interrogated detainees in Afghanistan and Iraq. Former Vice President Dick Cheney has been pushing back in recent television interviews, accusing the Obama administration of having compromised U.S. security by releasing the "torture memos," relating to how prisoners were questioned.
The pictures in dispute show the alleged abuse of detainees at various locations. Pictures of abuse at the U.S.-run Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq already have been made public.
Citing the Freedom of Information Act, the ACLU successfully sued for the release of the photos. After the rulings, the Justice Department agreed that further appeal would probably fail.
But today, Gibbs said the Obama administration would pursue a different argument in any appeal. Obama believes that the national security implications of a release have not been fully presented, Gibbs said.
Military leaders, including Secretary of Defense of Robert M. Gates and commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan, opposed the release fearing growing anger in the Muslim world.